A Eurasian otter/ Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration

Eurasian otters are semiaquatic species that are facing extinction in Korea. To conserve them, the government designated them as a natural monument in 1982.

However, the otter's conservation status is hindering an animal exchange program between zoos in Korea and Japan.

Last November, Seoul Grand Park received a pair of red pandas from Tama Zoological Park located in Tokyo, as part of an agreement to donate two otters to Japan in return. The Seoul Grand Park aimed to reintroduce the red pandas, which used to be among the zoo's most popular animals with visitors before both pandas died, and to assist the Japanese zoo in maintaining species diversity.

Red pandas are also endangered, and Japan is home to the largest population of the species in the world.

Red pandas/ Courtesy of Seoul Grand Park

Yet, the project was faced with a challenge as cultural heritage officials were opposed to the idea of 'exporting' Korea's natural monument — exporting a natural monument is tightly controlled in Korea, requiring permission from 13 separate officials under the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA).

During a recent meeting, seven officials out of 13 vetoed the otters' departure. "If this happens, it will be the first 'export' of a natural monument in Korea," a zoo official said, quoting some officials who denied permission.

But, the decision wasn't necessarily permanent, according to the zoo official.

Reportedly, CHA demanded that DNA samples be taken from the otters before their departure and that they should be informed about how the otters will be cared for upon their arrival in Japan.

"We're working to fulfill the requested details. When they're ready, we will reapply," the zoo official said.

Native to a large part of Asia, Eurasian otters are now classified as facing extinction worldwide, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. They are no longer found in nature in Japan and Korea making them endangered.

A Eurasian otter/ Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration