• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.71-75
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• 2024

In this review, we compared the success rates of DNA amplification and introduced the efficient non-invasive sampling of fecal samples collected from captive and wild Korean long-tailed gorals (Naemorhedus caudatus) by referring to previous non-invasive studies, including three important references (Kim et al., 2008; Kim, 2021; Kim, 2022). A large difference in PCR success rates in the captive and wild populations was observed for mitochondrial (100 and 70.0%), sex-linked (44.4 and 20.8%), and microsatellite markers (73.9 and 34.8%, respectively). Out of the three types of genetic markers, the mitochondrial maker showed the highest success rate, followed by microsatellite and sex-linked markers. In addition, we estimated two factors that affected the PCR success, including the length of the amplified fragments (long, medium, and short) and the type of primer (universal and specific) in fecal samples from a captive population. The length of the PCR fragment was inversely proportional to the PCR success (5.3, 44.4, and 55.6% for long, medium, and short fragments, respectively), and the specific primer set (100%) was more efficient than the universal primer set (60.0%). This review is fundamental but would be greatly helpful for new non-invasive conservation genetic studies, particularly those that use fecal samples from captive and wild populations of rare endangered species. We recommend beginning conservation genetic experiments using mitochondrial markers and then nuclear markers, such as microsatellite and sex-linked markers, to save time, costs, and labor.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.191-198
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• 2022

Natural habitats of the Korean long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) have been fragmented by anthropogenic activities in South Korea in the last decades. Here, the individual identity, genetic variation, and population differentiation of the endangered species were examined via the multiple-tube approach using a non-invasive genotyping method. The average number of alleles was 3.16 alleles/locus for the total population. The Yanggu population (1.66) showed relatively lower average number of alleles than the Inje population (3.67). Of the total 19 alleles, only seven (36.8%) alleles were shared by the two populations. Using five polymorphic out of six loci, four and six different goral individuals from the captive Yanggu (n=24) and the wild Inje (n=28) population were identified, respectively. The allele distribution was not identical between the two populations (Fisher's exact test: P<0.01). A considerably low migration rate was detected between the two populations (no. of migrants after correction for size=0.294). Additionally, the F statistics results indicated significant population differentiation between them, however, quite low (F_ST=0.327, P<0.01). The posterior probabilities indicated that the two populations originated from a single panmictic population (P=0.959) and the assignment test results designated all individuals to both populations with nearly equal likelihood. These could be resulted from moderate population differentiation between the populations. No significant evidence supported recent population bottleneck in the total Korean goral population. This study could provide us with useful population genetic information for conservation and management of the endangered species.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.119-123
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• 2023

Although various imaging evaluation methods have been developed and utilized, thoracic radiography remains essential and is the top priority for diagnosing and managing cardiac diseases. Thoracic radiographic measurements associated with the vertebral heart scale (VHS) and caudal vena cava (CVC) can objectively diagnose cardiac disease in many animals. In particular, VHS measurement is primarily used to evaluate the dimensions of the heart size on thoracic radiographs and can measure cardiomegaly more objectively. Additionally, the value of the CVC compared with the aorta (Ao) and the length of vertebrae (VL) can be used as valuable parameters in right congestive heart failure. To describe the CVC/Ao and CVC/VL ratios in 10 long-tailed gorals (Naemorhedus caudatus) without subjective radiographic evidence of cardiac diseases. The VHS, CVC, Ao, and VL of gorals were measured in the right lateral (RL) view of the thoracic radiographs. In the RL view of 10 gorals, the VHS was 9.31 ± 0.55 vertebrae (v), the CVC/Ao ratio was 0.84 ± 0.13, and the CVC/VL ratio was 0.67 ± 0.09. Additionally, the thoracic morphology of gorals was determined to be intermediate (thoracic depth-to-width ratio, 1.04 ± 0.09, 0.75-1.25). This study confirmed that VHS was significantly correlated with CVC and Ao, and measuring and comparing each value would help diagnose cardiac diseases in gorals. The radiographic measurements in this study will allow veterinarians to diagnose several cardiac diseases in gorals.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2023

A 6-year-old female long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus, goral) was admitted to the Gangwon wildlife medical rescue center due to severe starvation and hypothermia. The goral displayed clinical signs of severe weight loss, dehydration, lethargy, regurgitation, hypothermia, and bloating, with blood tests showing a decrease in albumin, calcium, glucose, and sodium. Supportive care was given through heating, oxygen supply, and fluid therapy, but the goral's condition worsened, and the goral died three days after admission. Radiographic and computed tomography scans revealed the presence of an indigestible foreign body (IFB) in the rumen, which was confirmed during the necropsy. The cause of goral's death was identified as chronic rumen impaction caused by the IFB (a ball of string), with other pathological findings including bloating, the presence of serous ascites, and congestion of digestive organs. Blood biochemical changes, clinical signs, and veterinary medical imaging diagnosis can be helpful in diagnosing ruminal impaction. This case report can provide valuable information for the diagnosis and treatment of ruminal impaction caused by IFB in endangered gorals, which may include rumenotomy or other surgical procedures.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.155-159
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• 2017

Korean goral (Neamorhedus caudatus) is registered as a natural monument number 217 by South Korea Cultural Heritage Administration. It is also recognized as the endangered species I by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In this study, blood samples of Korean goral were collected to make reference intervals. Blood sampling was conducted on 19 numbers of Korean gorals (ten females, nine males), which were reared in Korean Goral Restoration Center. For total samples, the reference intervals of hematological parameters were: white blood cell $7.69{\sim}10.87K/{\mu}{\Lambda}$; hematocrit 36.73~46.18%; red blood cell $10.72{\sim}12.86K/{\mu}{\Lambda}$; hemoglobin 12.79~15.14 g/dL; mean corpuscular volume 33.15~36.75 fL; mean corpuscular hemoglobin 11.53~12.23 pg; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration 32.64-35.91 g/dL and red blood cell distribution width 39.2~43.46%. For total samples of each parameters, the following results were obtained for serum biochemistry: glucose 111.81~153.77 mg/dL; blood urea nitrogen 22.35~28.91 mg/dL; creatine 1.22~1.84 mg/dL; phosphate 4.57~6 mg/dL; calcium 8.7~9.1 mg/dL; total protein 6.53~6.92 g/dL; albumin 3.1~3.48 g/dL; globulin 3.26~3.62 g/dL; alanine aminotransferase 56.7~158.56 U/L; aspartate aminotransferase 230.35~473.06 U/L; alkaline phosphatase 178.06~332.47 U/L; gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase 131.6-~181.24 U/L; total bilirubin 1.47~2.12 mg/dL; cholesterol 46.48~71.52 mg/dL; amylase 16.3~26.03 U/L; sodium 150.43~153.88 mmol/L; potassium 3.98~4.6 mmol/L and chlorine 109.48~113.26 mmol/L. The ranges of values were similar campared to previous studies except in the case of RDW value, which showed higher range than the RDW value of a previous study. The reference intervals from this study will be useful data for treatment and management of gorals.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

This study was to understand the ecological characteristics of the goral through the study on goral behavioral characteristics and to be carried out to provide basic behavioral data such as annual home range, seasonal home range and monthly used altitude with 4,752 locations obtained during the study period through home range analysis of three long-tailed gorals (Naemorhedus caudatus) in Soeraksan. For this study, gorals who were rescued from heavy snow in Seoraksan were used. The gorals were equipped with GPS Collar, released at their natural habitats, and then monitored from May, 2010 to September, 2011. According to our results, annual home ranges of the gorals (n=3) have $0.88km^2$ of MCP 95%, $0.27km^2$ of MCP 50%, $0.43km^2$ of FK 95%, and $0.09km^2$ of FK 50% respectively. Seasonal home range of MCP 95% was $0.47km^2$ in spring, $0.45km^2$ in summer, $0.63km^2$ in fall and $0.50km^2$ in winter respectively and home ranges of fall was the largest. In the case of FK 95% analysis, home ranges were $0.23km^2$ in spring, $0.19km^2$ in summer, $0.33km^2$ in fall, and $0.22km^2$ in winter respectively and the largest seasonal home range was fall. Female and male annual home ranges of the gorals were $1.03km^2$ for female and $0.58km^2$ for male. In analysis of the monthly used altitudes which were used Jun, July, and August were higher than in the other months and the altitudes which were used in Dec, Jan, and Feb were lower than in the other months. This study was to secure basic data for the habitat management policy, restoration, and conservation of Korea gorals and to be conducted to contribute to the success in doing or planning stage of the wild animal restoration.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.710-717
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• 2015

This study was conducted investigate population size and habitat use for the conservation and management of the endangered long-tailed goral in the Seoraksan National Park using feces and camera trap during 2010 to 2014 (track survey, camera trap). As a result of feces tracking and camera trap, its population size was estimated as 160 (camera trap)~251 (feces) individuals in the Seoraksan National Park. The goral prefer $35^{\circ}{\sim}60^{\circ}$ (slope), 600~700m (elevation), NE (aspect), 0~50m (distance to stream), 300~600m (distance to road) and bread-leaved forest (forest type) according to field tracking of fecal. Based on field camera trap, we estimated the age classes of goral populations and activity of gorals during day-time (07-18 time, 56.5%) and night-time (18-07 time, 43.5%). Such analyses of population size and habitat use of the goral could be applied as important fundamental data for conservation of gorals and management of their habitats.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.857-864
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• 2016

To analyze the behavioral characteristics of Korea endangered species female gorals (n=6) during the period of birth, using GPS collar attached on their necks, we carried out this study in two areas (Seoraksan and Woraksan National park) from March 2007 to May 2014. According to our analysis there was a change in their home range during the period of birth. The home range of females (n=6) in MCP 95% was Spring ($1.00{\pm}1.00km^2$) > Autumn ($0.66{\pm}0.30km^2$) > Summer ($0.61{\pm}0.40km^2$) > Winter ($0.50{\pm}0.10km^2$) (F=4.198, p<0.05). In the monthly analysis, their home ranges were dramatically reduced in May, June and July. It showed a statistically significant difference (F=24.261, p<0.01). These gorals showing a drastic change in home ranges were identified as gorals having offspring individual and their home ranges were decreased. The average altitude was $615.77{\pm}173.508m$ and there was no significant difference in major change between parous and nonparous female gorals. Through this analysis, we expect that it can be applied to the goral management and restoration project considering the time of birth.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2020

This study was aimed to design core areas applied by the global conservation criteria to promote the public awareness to the protected areas and the value cognition of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), targeting the Mt Seorak, according to the designation of globally important biodiversity areas. As a method for carrying out this study, the biota were cataloged through literature reviews and field trips. With applied by the Global Red List criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), only nine species were categorized in the studied area; plants were classified into six species as follows: Megaleranthis saniculifolia ohwi, Bupleurum euphorbioides Nakai, Hanabusaya asiatica Nakai, Thuja koraiensis Nakai, Leontopodium leiolepis Nakai, Androsace cortusaefolia Nakai, fish was classified one species as follow: Pungitius sinensis Tanaka, and the mammal was classified as two species as follows: Hydropotes inermis, Naemorhedus caudatus. According to the occupation area (EoO, Extent of Occurrence) and Minimum Viable Population(MVP), the size of protected area was 234.56㎢ for plants, 235.07㎢ for mammals, and 0.14㎢ for fish, and the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) of Mt. Seolak suggested as 286.72㎢.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1043-1053
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• 2017

In this study, genotyping was executed by using 13 microsatellite markers for genetic diversity of 224 Gorals (Saanen(88), Laoshan(67), Toggenburg(32), Alpine(12), Anglonubian(9), Jamnapari(7) and Black Bengal(4)). The number of alleles was observed 4 (INRA005) to 18 (SRCRSP23) each markers. Observed heterozygostiy ($H_{obs}$), expected heterozygosity ($H_{\exp}$) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were observed 0.482 to 0.786, 0.476 to 0.923, and 0.392 to 0.915, respectively. Principal Components Analysis(PCoA) results were similar to the results of FCA. NE-I(on-exclusion probability for identity of two unrelated individuals) was estimated at $2.47{\times}10^{-15}$. In conclusion, this study shows the useful data that be utilized as a basic data of Gorals breeding and development.