Seoul Zoo Seoul Zoo news

[dt644]

Yes, Gangsan/Maehwa are from the Frankfurt\Center Hill line and their male was another subspecies hence both where genetically "contaminated" and not pure Amur leopard.

The Novosibirsk Amur leopards should I believe have some direct descendants from the wild, if I am not mistaken. The No. 23 and 24 in the studbook were both wild caught Amur males. The other breeding line was Leipzig Zoo (No. 14 and 15, M/F direct from wild). Tallinn Zoo also had a wild caught pair (No. 62 and 63). In fact, even Beijing Zoo exhibited a pair of Amur leopard in the eighties (No. 33 and 34, M/F direct from wild). And then, of course the Pyongyang Zoo breeding pair (No. 139 and 140).

There have been several others mentioned in the early studbooks like 2 wild caught females in Center Hill (later than the No. 2 individual), but these were mixed with their original impure bloodline pretty quick. Also, Asahikawa Zoo exhibited a wild caught male (No. 74), but unsure if he ever bred (I do not think so TBH).

Source: 1989 International Amur Leopard studbook.

photo of Gangsan. I took this photo July 28, 2017.​

​

This table is a family tree of Gangsan and Maehwa that I made. No. 522 is Gangsan and No. 523 is Maehwa, and 89, 140, 141, 142 were from North Korea.

The chronic problem with Korean zoos is that they are poor interested in species and wildlife conservation. This is also revealed in the case of amur tigers in Korea. Descendants of Five Amur tigers brought to the Seoul Zoo in the 1980s are still on display at Korean zoos today through inbreeding. but most of all amur tigers in Korean zoos today are descendants of STB 1915 Volga, which has white bengal tiger genes.

In addition, Map of the Amur tiger genome was produced using a male Amur tiger named 'Taeguk' in Everland, but I checked, Taegeuk was the great-grandson of STB 1915 Volga. So like the case of Maehwa, I think it could be a fairly complicated problem because hybrid were used to produce genome maps.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

@dt644, thanks for your comments and the detailed family tree for Amur leopards Gangsan and Maehwa. Looking at the tree Gangsan had some genes from the Pyongyang Zoo pure-bred pair and Maehwa 2 links to the Leipzig Zoo pure-bred pair.

But TBH the Amur leopard EEP these days tries to breed only from Amur leopards with less than 41% coefficient from Frankfurt\Center Hill No. 2 genetic input (they might have upped it more in th last decade, unsure) and has sought to increase the founder representation from the wild caught and pure-bred Amur leopard in the program.

I would also be interested in your Amur tiger family tree!

 

[dt644]

@dt644, thanks for your comments and the detailed family tree for Amur leopards Gangsan and Maehwa. Looking at the tree Gangsan had some genes from the Pyongyang Zoo pure-bred pair and Maehwa 2 links to the Leipzig Zoo pure-bred pair.

But TBH the Amur leopard EEP these days tries to breed only from Amur leopards with less than 41% coefficient from Frankfurt\Center Hill No. 2 genetic input (they might have upped it more in th last decade, unsure) and has sought to increase the founder representation from the wild caught and pure-bred Amur leopard in the program.

I would also be interested in your Amur tiger family tree!

The story of the Amur tiger at the Seoul Zoo is quite complicated. First of all, the number of Amur tigers at the Korean zoo after liberation from Japan was very small, with only three at the Korean zoo before the Seoul Zoo secured 5 amur tigers.

In 1963, Changgyungwon purchased a male amur tiger named 'Bengari' from a circus from Taiwan, and in 1971, Dalseong Park in Daegu was donated a pair of tigers from Japan by a civic group, but they all failed to leave their descendants behind.

When Seoul Grand Park opened in 1984, there were only Southern tigers from Changgyeongwon. However, the Seoul Zoo had a desire to have a "Korean tiger," and moreover, they had a strong desire to show Korean tigers to foreign tourists during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Therefore, the Korean government even attempted to secure the Amur tigers through the Soviet Union, which was a hostile relationship at the time, it was failed.

Eventually, the Minnesota Korean Association and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Kyuk-ho donated the Amur tiger from the U.S. zoo to the Seoul Zoo. These are the ancestors of the many amur tigers in today's Korean zoos, and detailed information on them is as follows.

Donated by Minnesota Korean Association

• STB 2786 ♂
• STB 2498 ♀

Donated by Shin Kyuk-ho

• STB 2538 ♂
  
• STB 2572 ♂
• STB 2583 ♀

After getting this five Amur tigers, the zoo handed over the existing tigers to Everland and Dalseong Park and focused on breeding amur tiger. STB 2538 was named 'Hodori' at the Seoul Zoo, this name was same name as the tiger mascot for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Therefore, I think the Seoul Zoo would have especially cared for STB 2538, but this STB 2538's bloodline has caused a big problem.

The Seoul Zoo increased the number of tigers by breeding the five tigers it had initially acquired and their descendants without bringing in additional Amur tigers or exchanging them with overseas zoos. So there was incest between the siblings, male STB 4660 and female STB 3621, which son and daughter of STB 2538 and STB 2583. And in 1999 and 2000, two white tiger female was born between STB 4660 and STB 3621.

The name of the white tiger born in 1999 was 'Vera', and the name of the white tiger born in 2000 was 'Hite'. Seoul Zoo promoted them as 'White Amur Tigers' based on the fact that all of their amur tigers were registered in the Amur Tiger Studbook. And Vera was given a studbook number of STB 4662. (I don't know Hite's studbook number, but probably given it.)

However, the correction eventually occurred, and the North American Regional Amer Tiger Studbook stated STB 1915, the mother of STB 2538, as a hybrid.



Until now, all zoos in Korea have received Amur tigers from Seoul Zoo, but Everland was different. Everland imported three Amur tigers from an American zoo in 1987, and the information on the tigers it imported is as follows.

• STB 1992 ♀
• STB 2888 ♀
• STB 2961 ♂

Like the Seoul Zoo, Everland increased the number of Amur tigers with the inbreeding of those three and their descendants, the only male of which, STB 2961, was a problem. I checked at last year, STB 2961 was the nephew of STB 2538. Therefore, STB 2961 was the grandson of STB 1915.

As I said earlier, Everland's Amur Tiger, STB 4746 'Taegeuk', was used to map the Amur Tiger genome. And, STB 4743 was the grandson of STB 2961, and great-grandson of STB 1915. It may not have been intended by Everland, but it was such a terrible coincidence. I posted this shocking story on my personal blog last year, and I also confirmed a few months ago that Everland had circulated my blog post to the company's internal mail. Maybe Everland was also embarrassed.



To count the numbers of pure Amur tigers in Korean zoos, male 'Rostov,' and female 'Penza' donated by the Russian government in 2011, and male 'Joseph,' imported by Zilln Zoo in 2017. And including their cubs, there are a total of 11 pure amur tigers in korean zoos today.

Everland brought in additional Amur tigers from China, probably they not have Studbook numbers. And the Korean public zoos still have the descendants of the first five tigers of the Seoul Zoo, all of them are closely family, so many of them has genetic diseases such as crossed-eyes.

Since the Seoul Zoo recognized the hybrid and inbreed problems of the first five tigers, they has neutered all of the 5 tiger's descendants at the Seoul Zoo so that the descendants of the five tigers can no longer reproduce, but other zoos have not care about this problem. As mentioned earlier, almost all Korean zoos are insensitive to species conservation and inbreed problem.

 

[dt644]

It's been a long time, everyone. It's been a while since I've left a message here because I live like I'm busy. I'll tell about the most recent absurd incident at Seoul Zoo.


On April 29, genetic screening revealed that two cuvier's dwarf caiman(Paleosuchus palpebrosus) at the Seoul Zoo were actually dwarf crocodiles(Osteolaemus tetraspis). They become Korea's only two official dwarf crocodiles.

Seoul Zoo's 'Dwarf Crocodiles,' which has been believed to be 'Cuvier's dwarf Caiman.'
I took this photo March 5, 2019.​

That two dwarf crocodiles are known to have come from Samut prakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo at Thailand, in 2007. From there, it seems that they may have mistaken the crocodile species.

The 'Spectacled caiman' of the Jeonju Zoo,
which has been believed to be Korea's only 'Dwarf crocodile' until 2020.
I took this photos April 22, 2022.

​

In 2020, Korea's only one dwarf crocodile at Jeonju Zoo was identified as spectacled caiman(Caiman crocodilus). But this time, it is the opposite happened. So many zoo enthusiasts in Korea are puzzled.

 

[dt644]

I couldn't come here often because I was busy, but I would like to inform here that a big tragedy has occurred at the Seoul Zoo. It's a one of the most bad news for the Seoul Zoo and the entire history of Korean Zoo.

Yesterday, on September 30, an exclusive report by SBS News in Korea revealed that Seoul Zoo euthanized a total of 52 animals since last year, due to bovine tuberculosis occurring from the South American Pavilion.


On last September 22, there was the last euthanasia in which 27 animals were died, and this euthanasia killed the South Korean zoo's last giant anteater, last American tapirs, and last collared peccaries.

Many zoo enthusiasts around me are deeply sad that they cannot be seen anymore this three speices in Korea, but I hope that the sadness of this tragedy will not be concentrated only on them.

I'll write down the victimized species and their numbers that have been released in the media. Please all zoo enthusiasts of Korea will remember all these victims, that's my hope.

• Three american tapirs. (Father, and two sons.)
• One giant anteater.
• Fifteen collered peccaries.
• Six capybaras.
• Ten llamas.
• Five guanacos.
• Three patagonian maras.

The incident killed all animals in the outdoor exhibit of the Seoul Zoo's South American Pavilion, and the South American Pavilion was closed until August next year. Seoul Zoo announced that South American Pavilion will be closed due to 'internal construction', but this was the real reason of close.

This incident makes my thinking complicated. But right now, I just hope the damage doesn't get worse now.

 

[vogelcommando]

I couldn't come here often because I was busy, but I would like to inform here that a big tragedy has occurred at the Seoul Zoo. It's a one of the most bad news for the Seoul Zoo and the entire history of Korean Zoo.

Yesterday, on September 30, an exclusive report by SBS News in Korea revealed that Seoul Zoo euthanized a total of 52 animals since last year, due to bovine tuberculosis occurring from the South American Pavilion.


On last September 22, there was the last euthanasia in which 27 animals were died, and this euthanasia killed the South Korean zoo's last giant anteater, last American tapirs, and last collared peccaries.

Many zoo enthusiasts around me are deeply sad that they cannot be seen anymore this three speices in Korea, but I hope that the sadness of this tragedy will not be concentrated only on them.

I'll write down the victimized species and their numbers that have been released in the media. Please all zoo enthusiasts of Korea will remember all these victims, that's my hope.

• Three american tapirs. (Father, and two sons.)
• One giant anteater.
• Fifteen collered peccaries.
• Six capybaras.
• Ten llamas.
• Five guanacos.
• Three patagonian maras.

The incident killed all animals in the outdoor exhibit of the Seoul Zoo's South American Pavilion, and the South American Pavilion was closed until August next year. Seoul Zoo announced that South American Pavilion will be closed due to 'internal construction', but this was the real reason of close.

This incident makes my thinking complicated. But right now, I just hope the damage doesn't get worse now.

Thats realy bad news but because most of these species are very or quite common in western zoos, I hope some ( western ) zoos will show solidarity with Seoul Zoo and send them replacement animals.

 

[dt644]

Thats realy bad news but because most of these species are very or quite common in western zoos, I hope some ( western ) zoos will show solidarity with Seoul Zoo and send them replacement animals.

Thanks for the your comments, but I don't want this damage to be recovered simply by "bringing in new animals."

There is a Cougar-Jaguar enclosure near the Seoul Zoo's Beasts of Prey Pavilion, That is very old and narrow cage. To be honest, it cannot be thought of as an animal enclosure of the Seoul Zoo.

As everyone knows, cougar and jaguar are also South American animals. If this situation calms down, I hope that the empty outdoor exhibit of the South American pavilion will be renovated and become a exhibit for them.

Of course, many people may wait for the damage to the missing species to be restored, or expect to bring new species. However, the priority will have to be the animal at the Seoul Zoo now.

Looking at the history from the opening of the Seoul Zoo in 1984 to the present, it is worrisome that bring new animals in will just be "Crosses grow on South American Pavilion." I hope the Seoul Zoo makes the best choice for now and future's their captive animals.

 

[dt644]

Sakura (born 1965), the female elephant who was the oldest elephant in Korea, was passed away on Feb. 13 in Korean time. She was sold to Takarazuka Family Land in Japan from Thailand at the age of 7 month as the adoptive daughter of Mary, an elephant who lost her husband and child, and came to Seoul Zoo in 2003 when Takarazuka Family Land closed.


Originally, She came in as a mate of male asian elephant Giant, who was the first elephant in the Korean zoo, but she had a deep connection with the last African elephant, male Rika, in Korea, not Giant. But Rika died of gum disease on March 12, 2008, and Giant died of arthritis on March 8 the following year.

Seoul Grand Park's News Magazine, HanDongSan vol 25. P. 114​

Despite being the oldest, she was not treated as the leader female by other two adult female elephants, Kima and Sugela, Maybe because she never experienced childbirth and lived alone for a long time. But she must have been a good grandmother to Seoul Zoo's youngest elephant, Huimang, the daughter of Sugela.



May she will now rest in peace after living an her eventful life. And Ko-soon at Dalseong Park Zoo, now who succeeded Sakura as the oldest elephant in Korea. I hope that will change the most poor environment in Korea, where Ko-soon has lived for 52 years, and her life.

 

[19985]

There is a Cougar-Jaguar enclosure near the Seoul Zoo's Beasts of Prey Pavilion, That is very old and narrow cage.

Is this the small Jaguar exhibit at the edge of the zoo? I remember visiting a couple years back and thought it very out of place indeed, it seemed more of a small aviary. I hope the Jaguar isn’t still in there.

 

[Kim Minwoo]

A new Amur leopardess named "Arina" has been revealed to the public! She came to Seoul Zoo from Scotland's Highland Wildlife Park in celebration of the 140th anniversary of bilateral ties between the United Kingdom and South Korea. The Europe Endangered Species Programme (EEP) has selected Arina to be sent to Korea in 2022 for a breeding program between 2 males who were already in Korea. The two male leopards have been transferred from the Novosibirsk Zoo of Russia in June 2018.

This is the image of Arina in Seoul Zoo.

Seoul Zoo is expecting a successful breeding, since Arina has had a litter back in 2018 in Scotland.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

It's been a long time, everyone. It's been a while since I've left a message here because I live like I'm busy. I'll tell about the most recent absurd incident at Seoul Zoo.


On April 29, genetic screening revealed that two cuvier's dwarf caiman(Paleosuchus palpebrosus) at the Seoul Zoo were actually dwarf crocodiles(Osteolaemus tetraspis). They become Korea's only two official dwarf crocodiles.

View attachment 542964
Seoul Zoo's 'Dwarf Crocodiles,' which has been believed to be 'Cuvier's dwarf Caiman.'
I took this photo March 5, 2019.​

That two dwarf crocodiles are known to have come from Samut prakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo at Thailand, in 2007. From there, it seems that they may have mistaken the crocodile species.

View attachment 542963

View attachment 542965

The 'Spectacled caiman' of the Jeonju Zoo,
which has been believed to be Korea's only 'Dwarf crocodile' until 2020.
I took this photos April 22, 2022.

​

In 2020, Korea's only one dwarf crocodile at Jeonju Zoo was identified as spectacled caiman(Caiman crocodilus). But this time, it is the opposite happened. So many zoo enthusiasts in Korea are puzzled.

The plus side being that now they may be able to initiate some conservation breeding with the 3 individuals! Is it known what sex any of the 3 dwarf crocodiles are?

A new Amur leopardess named "Arina" has been revealed to the public! She came to Seoul Zoo from Scotland's Highland Wildlife Park in celebration of the 140th anniversary of bilateral ties between the United Kingdom and South Korea. The Europe Endangered Species Programme (EEP) has selected Arina to be sent to Korea in 2022 for a breeding program between 2 males who were already in Korea. The two male leopards have been transferred from the Novosibirsk Zoo of Russia in June 2018.

This is the image of Arina in Seoul Zoo.View attachment 747169View attachment 747171View attachment 747172View attachment 747173View attachment 747170

Seoul Zoo is expecting a successful breeding, since Arina has had a litter back in 2018 in Scotland.

So happy about this event! Seoul Zoo can now attach to the EEP Amur leopard program and the genes of both Novosibirsk Zoo born males get to have a chance to contribute their valuable genes to the population as a whole.

I have to check about the genetics of the Novosibirsk Zoo breeding of Amur leopards, but they have invariably had access to wild born or F1 or at least F2 generation Amur leopards from the wilds of Transsiberia.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

I couldn't come here often because I was busy, but I would like to inform here that a big tragedy has occurred at the Seoul Zoo. It's a one of the most bad news for the Seoul Zoo and the entire history of Korean Zoo.

Yesterday, on September 30, an exclusive report by SBS News in Korea revealed that Seoul Zoo euthanized a total of 52 animals since last year, due to bovine tuberculosis occurring from the South American Pavilion.


On last September 22, there was the last euthanasia in which 27 animals were died, and this euthanasia killed the South Korean zoo's last giant anteater, last American tapirs, and last collared peccaries.

Many zoo enthusiasts around me are deeply sad that they cannot be seen anymore this three speices in Korea, but I hope that the sadness of this tragedy will not be concentrated only on them.

I'll write down the victimized species and their numbers that have been released in the media. Please all zoo enthusiasts of Korea will remember all these victims, that's my hope.

• Three american tapirs. (Father, and two sons.)
• One giant anteater.
• Fifteen collered peccaries.
• Six capybaras.
• Ten llamas.
• Five guanacos.
• Three patagonian maras.

The incident killed all animals in the outdoor exhibit of the Seoul Zoo's South American Pavilion, and the South American Pavilion was closed until August next year. Seoul Zoo announced that South American Pavilion will be closed due to 'internal construction', but this was the real reason of close.

This incident makes my thinking complicated. But right now, I just hope the damage doesn't get worse now.

I wonder if they did necropies on the individual animals and if it would not have been possible to treat bovine TB in a quarantained area of the facility?

 

[dt644]

The plus side being that now they may be able to initiate some conservation breeding with the 3 individuals! Is it known what sex any of the 3 dwarf crocodiles are?



So happy about this event! Seoul Zoo can now attach to the EEP Amur leopard program and the genes of both Novosibirsk Zoo born males get to have a chance to contribute their valuable genes to the population as a whole.

I have to check about the genetics of the Novosibirsk Zoo breeding of Amur leopards, but they have invariably had access to wild born or F1 or at least F2 generation Amur leopards from the wilds of Transsiberia.

Two Dwarf crocodiles at the Seoul Zoo are a pair of males and females. But I assume there are no breeding plans. The Seoul Zoo is not very interested in Crocodilia's breeding, and its breeding environment is not enough.

The first and last time Crocodilia born at Seoul Zoo was in 2012 when three saltwater crocodiles were born. Their names were "Ssing-ssing," "Ssuk-ssuk," and "Ssak-ssak," respectively, while Ssak-ssak died and the other two are living at the Seoul Zoo Oriental Pavilion now.


The spectacled caiman at Jeonju Zoo, who was has been mistaken for a dwarf crocodile, was passed away in early and mid this year. The caiman's name was "Ak-ja." The reptile enclosure at Jeonju Zoo was in a very bad environment, so many Korean zoo enthusiasts were hoped that Jeonju Zoo would not re-displaying crocodiles until it improved its environment.

But shortly after the Akja died, Jeonju Zoo began to display its new caiman Hatchling without environment improving. Since the late 2010s, Jeonju Zoo has shown a strong will to improve the environment, so many zoo enthusiasts are disappointed by this behavior.


Around April 2023, a document was written that the Seoul Zoo paid for a "melanism test" on leopards. Perhaps it was to check if the amur leopard brothers at the Seoul Zoo or the new female leopard they are trying to bring in had melanism genes.

Also, according to the Seoul Zoo's leopard studbook, which I recently obtained, the parents of the Amur leopard brothers Leo and Rod at Seoul Zoo are "EAZA763" and "EAZA783." If you can check about their genealogy additionally, please refer to it.


I don't think the situation at Seoul Zoo is very good at the moment to focus on the breeding of leopards. Since last year, four Amur tigers have died from diseases continuously at Seoul Zoo, and it leading to attacks by the media and hardcore fans of zoo tigers. Eliminating their blind attacks and looking at the current situation, it seems that the morale of zookeepers of Carnivore Enclosure seems to have shrunk.

The amur leopard exhibit is the main exhibit in the Seoul Zoo's Carnivora Enclosure area, along with the amur tiger exhibit, and I think the two exhibit may share their zookeepers. Let's hope the zookeepers' falling morale and hardcore fans attacks don't affect any captive animals more.

 

[dt644]

I wonder if they did necropies on the individual animals and if it would not have been possible to treat bovine TB in a quarantained area of the facility?

It is Korea's practice for livestock epidemics. The animals infected with livestock epidemics designated by law are cull without exception. As far as I know, the law about livestock epidemics didn't specify an exception, so they couldn't have been able to try treatment.

 

[Kim Minwoo]

Is this the small Jaguar exhibit at the edge of the zoo? I remember visiting a couple years back and thought it very out of place indeed, it seemed more of a small aviary. I hope the Jaguar isn’t still in there.

It seems like the former llama/alpaca enclosure at the South America Pavilion is going to be the new home for the jaguar. Seoul Zoo initially planned to build a South America exhibit and include jaguars there where the deers live now, but things have got delayed (I don't know the inside story). So the zoo has decided to move the jaguar to where the llamas and alpacas lived.

 

[amur leopard]

It seems like the former llama/alpaca enclosure at the South America Pavilion is going to be the new home for the jaguar. Seoul Zoo initially planned to build a South America exhibit and include jaguars there where the deers live now, but things have got delayed (I don't know the inside story). So the zoo has decided to move the jaguar to where the llamas and alpacas lived.

Really great to hear that the jaguar is moving, although it is a shame that it won't be the larger deer area. Is the puma moving too?

 

[Kim Minwoo]

Really great to hear that the jaguar is moving, although it is a shame that it won't be the larger deer area. Is the puma moving too?

Sadly, the only puma left in Seoul Zoo named "Pupu" died in 2023 autumn. Now only the jaguar named "Jaesoon" is living in Seoul Zoo, but she has not been open to the public since November 2023 due to her seizures derived from her neurological condition. The zoo says that this is due to her old age, so if the zoo is moving her to the new enclosure, they will likely bring another jaguar too. I hope the only black jaguars in Korea which are kept in horrible condition in Daejon Aquarium can be moved here. Also, I think the plan for the new South American enclosure will still be on progress, not a cancellation though.

 

[Kim Minwoo]

아이벡스 종 동정 유전자분석 결과보고 > 결재문서 > 원문정보 > 정보소통광장

According to recent genetic findings from the zoo's research, the initially known as Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is in fact a Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana). They will change the signs and information about the animal which is currently living at the Camel Enclosure

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

아이벡스 종 동정 유전자분석 결과보고 > 결재문서 > 원문정보 > 정보소통광장

According to recent genetic findings from the zoo's research, the initially known as Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is in fact a Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana). They will change the signs and information about the animal which is currently living at the Camel Enclosure

How did the Seoul Zoo acquire Nubian ibex? Ex US or range countries?

 

[YANG Zhuofan]

Thank you to both amur leopard and Kim Minwoo for your advice and support. Yesterday, I visited Seoul Zoo and, despite the heavy rain, managed to photograph the long-tailed goral. The two enclosures house approximately nine long-tailed gorals. Although the animal isn’t officially exhibited, I found its enclosure still suitable for photography—especially in winter when vegetation thins out. I hope this information can assist future visitors.

The fencing of the long-tailed goral enclosure

• YANG Zhuofan
• 6 Apr 2025

Although this isn't the exhibition area, it's very close to the trail. The only obstacle is the...