Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
South Korea reconstructs extinct Dokdo sea lion skeleton
South Korea’s National Marine Biodiversity Institute reconstructed a Dokdo sea lion skeleton using bones found on Ulleungdo.
The sea lion once lived around the Korean Peninsula, but hunting during Japanese rule drove it from view; it was last confirmed in South Korea in 1976.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in 1994.
In 2020, researchers found 41 bones in a cave on Ulleungdo and confirmed through DNA comparisons that they belonged to the sea lion.
They used 3D printing to recreate the missing bones and restore the animal’s full skeleton.
The institute preserves 610,000 marine specimens, which help researchers track biodiversity and study changes in the ocean environment.
Its collection also supports research into useful materials for products and medicines, and the sea lion reconstruction is set to be displayed in Seoul from October 19 to 25, then at the institute in November.
South Korea’s National Marine Biodiversity Institute reconstructed a full skeleton of the extinct Dokdo sea lion using 3D-printed bones.
The work followed the discovery of 41 bones at Gajaegul Cave on Ulleungdo in September 2020.
Genetic analysis identified the bones as belonging to sea lions that once lived on Ulleungdo.
The species, known in Korea as the Dokdo gangchi, disappeared after overhunting during Japanese colonial rule.
The reconstructed skeleton is scheduled to be shown at Seoul Station from October 19 to 25 and at the institute in November.
- Who
- South Korea’s National Marine Biodiversity Institute reconstructed the skeleton.
- What
- It recreated a full Dokdo sea lion skeleton, 3D-printing bones that had not been found.
- When
- The bones were excavated in September 2020. The reconstruction is scheduled to be displayed from October 19 to 25 and in November.
- Where
- The bones were found at Gajaegul Cave on Ulleungdo. The reconstruction will be shown at Seoul Station and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute.
- Why
- The institute conducted research to analyze the bones’ genomes and reconstruct the full skeleton.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Dokdo sea lion disappeared after overhunting during Japanese colonial rule.
The species was last confirmed in South Korea, on Dokdo.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature officially declared the Dokdo sea lion extinct.
Researchers excavated 41 bones believed to be from a sea lion at Gajaegul Cave on Ulleungdo.
Genetic comparison identified the bones as belonging to sea lions that had lived on Ulleungdo, and the institute reconstructed the full skeleton.
The reconstruction is scheduled to be displayed at Seoul Station.
- Bones excavated
- 41
- Discovery site
- Gajaegul Cave, Ulleungdo
- Excavation date
- September 2020
- Last confirmed in South Korea
- 1976, on Dokdo
- Extinction declared
- 1994, by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
- First display
- Seoul Station, October 19–25
What people are saying
The marine biological resources we have secured are scientific evidence that can measure the biodiversity of our seas and assess changes over time, and they serve as a time capsule through which we can examine past marine environments.
We will broaden our research from basic science to practical research that contributes to public health and national economic development, and protect marine biological sovereignty.