Leaf Cutting Ants in South Korea
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 9:24 pm
Over the past 2 years I have been speaking to an amazing gentleman in South Korea, Dr Kwang Yeong Joo, who is incharge of the Live animal exhibits at the National Institute of South Korea. He had a crazy idea of putting Leaf Cutting Ants on public display in a country that does not allow the importation of any non native species. And 2 years later I set off on my journey to Korea, with the ants, knowing that Kwang Yeong has succeeded in persuading the Korean authorities to allow him to bring these ants to the Korean public. This blog is the story of the trip.
The Institute in Korea is truly spectacular. It is world class.
The biospheres are incredibly well set up, really well done. As good as any botanic gardens in the west.
They have probably one of the best 'Ant Zoos' in the world also.
The Leaf Cutting Ants were destined for a facility behind the scenes which genuinely left me absolutely staggered. Imagine a Quarrantine department giving permission for these ants to be brought in to the country but specifying a facility that isolates the ants better than a deadly disease pathogen or a priceless work of art. Check this out.
When I arrived with the ants I first of all had to pass through two steel doors with a safe style lock mechanism.
Through that door there was another door with a key pad entry system.
Then through this door you are in a corridor which leads to another key pad entry system to get you into the Leaf Cutting Ant room. Off this corridor are another two rooms. One id destined for Honey Pot Ants and the Other for Weaver Ants.
Through this door and we were finally in the room where the ants would be kept.
I will tell more of this story on my next visit.
The Institute in Korea is truly spectacular. It is world class.
The biospheres are incredibly well set up, really well done. As good as any botanic gardens in the west.
They have probably one of the best 'Ant Zoos' in the world also.
The Leaf Cutting Ants were destined for a facility behind the scenes which genuinely left me absolutely staggered. Imagine a Quarrantine department giving permission for these ants to be brought in to the country but specifying a facility that isolates the ants better than a deadly disease pathogen or a priceless work of art. Check this out.
When I arrived with the ants I first of all had to pass through two steel doors with a safe style lock mechanism.
Through that door there was another door with a key pad entry system.
Then through this door you are in a corridor which leads to another key pad entry system to get you into the Leaf Cutting Ant room. Off this corridor are another two rooms. One id destined for Honey Pot Ants and the Other for Weaver Ants.
Through this door and we were finally in the room where the ants would be kept.
I will tell more of this story on my next visit.