Jeju Island habitat study finds 36% of area suitable for wild boars

A research team led by Professor Oh Hong-sik of Jeju National University has announced that approximately 36.1% of Jeju Island's total area is suitable habitat for wild boars. The findings, published in the international journal ‘Ecology and Evolution’, identify 661.82 square kilometers of potential habitat, with 14.5% classified as highly suitable.

The study identified six core habitats, including areas around Hallasan National Park and Manjanggul, along with eight potential movement corridors connecting them. Key environmental factors influencing distribution include proximity to forests, water sources, altitude, and distance from agricultural lands and urban areas. Notably, over 51% of Hallasan National Park is deemed suitable for wild boar habitation.

The current wild boar population in Jeju is believed to consist of descendants of animals that escaped from captivity following the extinction of native populations due to habitat destruction and overhunting. Since their re-emergence around 2001, these animals have been classified as an invasive species that poses risks to biodiversity, agricultural productivity, and public safety through potential disease transmission and ecosystem disruption. Researchers suggest that management strategies must move beyond simple population control to include proactive spatial management of identified habitats and movement paths.