In this regard, Ri Chung Song, a researcher of the institute, told KCNA:

Many achievements have been made in the recent survey of water-birds.

The survey proved that several migrants sanctuaries in the east and west coasts play an important role in protecting the diversity of water-birds in Korea and the world as stopover habitats favorable for water-birds.

Various species of water-birds in danger of extinction were observed in the sanctuaries.

White-fronted goose, mute swan, hooper swan, Anas falcate, white egret and Grus japonensis (red-crowned crane), estimated to reach over one percent of their total numbers in the region, make regular stopover in the Kumgangsan Biosphere Sanctuary in spring and autumn.

Over 25 000 water-birds of 106 kinds inhabit the sanctuary on a yearly average. Among them are 16 species of water-birds under threatening worldwide, like Grus japonensis, Numenius madagascariensis (Far-eastern Curlew) and Calidris tenuirostris (Great Knot).

Nearly 86 000 water-birds, including 12 species of water-birds in danger of extinction like Grus japonensis and Grus vipio (white-naped crane), make stopover in the Orangchon Migrants Sanctuary, Orang County, North Hamgyong Province every year.

Over 25 000 water-birds including 200 black-faced spoonbills were observed in the 9.18 Reservoir Migrants Sanctuary.

The sanctuary comes to be one of localities rich in the diversity of birds as 20-odd species of water-birds in danger of extinction like Grus leucogeranus (Siberian white crane), black-faced spoonbill and Calidris Tenuirostris (Great Knot) inhabit there.

It was surveyed that 12 000 water-birds fly into the Kangryong Migrants Sanctuary in Kangryong County, South Hwanghae Province every year and more than 50 000 water-birds make regular stopover in the Sindo Migrants Sanctuary in the westernmost point of the Korean Peninsula.