In a significant ruling from the Seoul Administrative Court, a decade-long legal battle by an animal welfare group advocating for feeding stations for stray cats in Eulsukdo has ended in defeat. The court ruled that the conservation of migratory birds, which flock to Eulsukdo, a designated natural heritage site and the largest migratory bird habitat in South Korea, takes precedence over the feeding of the stray cats. This ruling reflects growing concerns over the ecological impact stray cats may have on wildlife in the area.

The legal conflict began when an outdoor theater was constructed in Eulsukdo, which led to an increase in stray cat populations due to food waste left by visitors. As the number of stray cats rose, they reportedly began to prey on the migratory birds that arrived during the winter months, raising alarm among conservationists. Despite the animal welfare organization introducing neutering projects and initiating feeder stations in collaboration with local authorities, their attempts to gain legal permission for the feeding stations were consistently denied by the Cultural Heritage Administration.

The court’s decision underscores the complexities involved in urban wildlife management and conservation efforts. While the animal welfare group aimed to support the stray cats, the ruling highlighted the potential negative effects of increasing the stray cat population on the migratory bird species. This case could serve as a precedent for similar debates over wildlife conservation and urban pet management strategies in South Korea, where balancing human and animal interests remains a challenging issue.