Exotic Visitor Appears in Hallasan: White Peafowl Sightings Spark Interest

A white peafowl, primarily native to India and Sri Lanka, has been discovered in Hallasan National Park, creating a buzz.

According to the Hallasan National Park Management Office, a white peafowl has been spotted near the Yeongsil parking lot since early last month by climbers.

Climbers have taken photos and videos of the exotic bird and shared them on social media, leading to continued sightings reports. The most recent sighting was reported on the 14th.

Experts estimate that this peafowl is a young female based on its size, which is roughly that of a chicken, and its tail shape.

The white peafowl is an exotic species originally from South Asia, including India and Sri Lanka, and is being raised in some tourist facilities on Jeju Island. However, these facilities have stated that there have been no incidents of their peafowl escaping.

Examples of Exotic Species and Their Ecosystem Impact in Hallasan

The appearance of this white peafowl is not the only instance of exotic species being discovered in Hallasan.

In the past, there have been cases of exotic animals raised on farms or in tourist areas escaping or being intentionally released to live in the wild.

A notable example is the red deer, which threatens the habitat of the endemic Jeju species, the roe deer, and the white deer (sika deer), which was introduced to recreate the legend of Baengnokdam in Hallasan, also impacts the Hallasan ecosystem.

The influx of such exotic species poses a potential risk to the ecological balance unique to Jeju, and experts emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and management. Hallasan National Park officials are reportedly conducting a thorough investigation into the migration route and ecological impact of the white peafowl's appearance.

Potential Risks to Jeju's Unique Ecological Balance

Image source: News1, Hallasan / News1