Osan City Holds 'Osan Stream Otter Habitat Briefing' on the 21st

[Suwon Ilbo=Seo Dong-young Reporter] Osan City will hold an 'Osan Stream Otter Habitat Briefing' at 10:30 a.m. on the 21st at the Small Concert Hall of Osan Cultural Arts Center.

The briefing will be hosted by Osan City, with co-organization by the Korea Otter Protection Association, Osan Nature Conservation Council, Osan Sustainable Development Council, and Osan Stream Restoration Regional Council. The one-hour session will include explanations on the otter habitat status and protection measures in Osan Stream, as well as a question-and-answer session.

The otter, designated as Endangered Wildlife Class 1 and Natural Monument No. 330, was first discovered through feces in the upper reaches of Osan Stream in 2017. Subsequently, it was captured on monitoring cameras in September and November last year, and in January of this year.

The city is analyzing that the otter has established a permanent habitat in Osan Stream, rather than appearing by chance.

Through restoration projects, Osan Stream has improved its water quality from Grade 5 to Grade 2. It has transformed into an ecological stream where natural monuments such as the Eurasian kestrel, mandarin duck, and spoon-billed sandpiper are now found.

A city official stated, "The otter has finally returned thanks to the ecological stream restoration project implemented over the past 10 years," and added, "We expect this briefing to be an opportunity to share with participants the importance of protecting otters in Osan Stream and conserving endangered species."