• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.388-395
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• 2020

Exotic species have been imported for economic purposes, but more recently, an increasing number of animals are imported as pets. With the increasing popularity of two species of turtles, Mauremys sinensis and Pseudemys concinna, the number of pet turtle owners has gradually increased since 2014. The number of turtles increased by 180 in 2017 and 281 in 2019. However, these turtle species have been abandoned to nature, owing to their long lifespans and the changes in conditions of pet owners. The two turtle species have been designated as invasive alien species (AIS) in Korea considering their ecological risks, and the Biological Diversity Act prohibits their release. The owners of Mauremys sinensis and Pseudemys concinna are required to submit the "Application for Approval of Breeding and Grace for AIS" document. In this study, the breeding conditions for the two turtle species were investigated by analyzing the information in the submitted applications for six months (e.g., the suitability of breeding facilities, number of turtles, breeding period, type of pet adoption, and local district of pet owner). A total of 614 cases were analyzed. Because only 58% of breeders provided suitable breeding conditions, breeding information and responsible pet ownership training should be offered to prevent abandonment in natural ecosystems. In addition, continuous monitoring is necessary to prepare for potential problems caused by the lack of information in many applications and the one-off licensing policy.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.251-258
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• 2023

Invasive species are introduced for various purposes, such as pets and food, and the trade of reptiles among them has continuously increased due to their unusual or rare external character traits. As their imports increase, the number of exotic reptiles in the wild is also increasing, and most of the recently discovered exotic turtles have been found near urban areas. Therefore, this study aims to report the current status of exotic turtles inhabiting the Jungnang Stream in downtown Seoul, Republic of Korea. As a result of the survey, seven species of exotic turtles were identified: Chrysemys picta picta, Pseudemys concinna, P. nelsoni, Trachemys scripta elegans, T. s. scripta, T. s. troostii, and Mauremys sinensis. One native turtle species was found: Pelodiscus maackii. Six species are designated as "ecosystem disturbance species" in the Republic of Korea. The dominant species was P. concinna, and C. p. picta, which is still traded in pet shops, was also found. The results have confirmed the current status of exotic turtles in urban rivers, and it was determined that the results show that they are continuously entering the wild.