Abstract
Large cat species were historically abundant in Korea; however, most vanished during the 20th century. We examined the causes of this demise and diagnosed the feasibiity of felid restoration in modern Korea. “Pest” control during the Japanese Invasion (1910–1945) eradicated Panthera tigris (Siberian tiger), and Panthera pardus (Amur leopard). Lynx lynx (Eurasian lynx) never inhabited South Korea and were rare in North Korea. Prionailurus bengalensis (leopard cat) was profuse, but habitat loss, road kills, rodenticides, and competition with feral house cats relegated the species to rarity. Despite the extirpation of P. tigris and P. pardus on the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean Government listed all felids as “Endangered” and initiated the development of recovery plans. The North Korean Government followed but did not list P. bengalensis. We suggest that misdirected methods and plans for the restoration of felids were applied to an inappropriate species, L. lynx. For big felid restoration, we suggest three options. The first option for pre-restoration in North Korea includes two reserves adjacent to habitats of tigers and leopards in Russia and China. The second option includes two reserves in South Korea. The second option, primarily for P. pardus restoration, has more potential for success than the restoration of P. tigris. The third option delays restoration of the big cats and allocates revenues and governmental policy toward the survival of P. bengalensis. This option is a pragmatic choice with a greater probability of success, instead of focusing efforts on extirpated tigers and leopards.
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