SEOUL, October 20 (Yonhap)-- The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage announced that they have released approximately 2,000 Miho spine loach at Ji Stream, Buyeo-gun, Chungnam Province on October 19 at 3 p.m.

Miho spine loach are Korean endemic species that inhabit only in the basin areas of the Geum River.

It's body length is about 60 to 80 mm, and the center of the body is thick, but the front and back are thin and long. They were first discovered in the main stream of the Miho River near Palgyeolgyo Bridge in Cheongju in 1984, and were named Miho spine loach.

Miho spine loach are Korean endemic species that inhabit only in the basin areas of the Geum River, they are nationally protected species designated as Natural Monument and endangered wildlife with the 1st class.

The release was implemented under a plan to sign a business agreement among the research, the Geum River Basin Environment Agency, the Korea Water Resources Corporation and the Daecheong Lake Conservation Movement Headquarters last June to cultivate awareness of protecting the public natural heritage, promote biodiversity in the aquatic system of Geum River, restore the strengths of the aquatic ecosystem, and to proliferate and preserve the Natural Monuments that are Miho spine loach.

Researches have released artificially hatched baby Miho spine loach,

The sum of 38 people (2 Grand Prize winners, 6 First Prize winners, and 30 Excellence Prize winners) were awarded with certificates and prizes individually for the "Natural Heritage Experience Contest."

Meanwhile, 38 works that advanced to the final stage will be exhibited at Daejeon Natural Monument Center and Korea Water Resources Corporation,

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Dowon Kim.)

(END)