| Siberian tiger 'Geumgang,' which was moved to Tiger Forest in the National Baekdu-daegan Arboretum in late January, was found dead early February. / Yonhap |
By Ko Dong-hwan
One of two Siberian tigers brought to Korea from China died a few days after being moved to a mountain range in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province.
The 11-year-old “Geumgang,” died of chronic renal failure, Feb. 3, nine days after being moved to Tiger Forest in the National Baekdu-daegan Arboretum, some 250 kilometers from Daejeon O World theme park, according to the Korea Forestry Service.
The animal did not eat and acted abnormally after the five-hour journey to the mountains, according to the Hankook Ilbo. O World allegedly did not know about the disease ― which the long journey reportedly worsened ― and Geumgang's increasing distress aggravated by its isolated cage life in the theme park.
Geumgang and Duman, were moved to Bonghwa from the Korea National Arboretum in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, late last month. China gave Geumgang to Korea in 2011 and Duman in 2005.
Siberian tigers inhabit mountain areas across the North Korea-China border and in Russia. They are known for their pure lineage.
The two tigers released in Bonghwa were expected to roam the Baekdu mountain range stretching from Mt. Baekdu in North Korea to Mt. Jiri in the South. It is referred to as the Korean Peninsula's spine.
The last Siberian tiger in Korea was hunted in 1921, in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.