March 1999

After the Korean War ended decades ago, the warring sides developed a demilitarized zone (DMZ) to serve as a barrier to further fighting.  Since then, the area has been basically untouched by human development.

Because the area has not been exposed to human forces, the natural ecosystem has remained largely intact.

Maps of North and South Korea.  Image Credit: CIA.

One of the most remarkable features of the DMZ is the diversity of wildlife living in the area.  Rare birds, animals, and plants all returned to the area after the war and have remained preserved ever since.

There has also been speculation that Siberian tigers may be living in the DMZ.  A filmmaker videotaped tracks from tigers and many other environmental activists are highly excited about the possibility.

Other unique species such as Asiatic black bears, Amur leopards, Chinese gorhals, Chinese egrets, crested shell ducks, blackfaced spoonbills, Stellars sea eagles, swan geese, and Saunders gulls are also found in the DMZ.

Now, environmental experts and activists from Korea and the rest of the world have joined together in an attempt to preserve the DMZ.  They plan to create nature reserves and conservation areas to protect native wildlife in the future.

The DMZ is a space of land about four kilometers by 250 kilometers (about 2.5 miles by 150 miles).  It was created after the Korean War.