Nature Reserve in the Heart of Seoul

Where can you find Mandarin ducks swimming freely in the heart of the bustling city? Look to 'Bamsom'(Chestnut Island) for this nature reserve surrounded by Seoul's Han River.
All kinds of plants, 25 species of fish, and the Mandarin duck call this 'ecological paradise' home.
The island and its wildlife will be covered
in KBS1's documentary 'Nature - Bamsom' to be aired March 3rd at 10 p.m.
The reserve's original size was reduced when it was relocated to the island of Yoido in 1968. Yet, its present form also shows 30 years of collected silt and river deposits resulting in the present shape of Bamsom Island.
Last May, the island's grounds keepers set up a camouflaged observation post to observe and study the wildlife. Captured on camera was the first outing of a Spotbill duck and her ducklings in the river.
The reserve, rich with many varieties of waterplants, is home to all sorts of migratory birds, some of which have lived at Bamsom for some time.
Also observed living on the island were threatened species including Loggerhead turtles, Korean Terrapins, and Snapping Turtles, released on the island by Koreans.

by Jeong Jae-wal