【Yanggu】Yanggu County announced on the 20th that it is taking preemptive measures to reduce crop damage caused by harmful wildlife and to block the spread of African swine fever (ASF) by operating a permanent capture system. To achieve this, the county is operating a "Harmful Wildlife Damage Prevention Team" composed of 16 specialized personnel, focusing on capturing individuals that cause damage to farms, such as wild boars, gorals, and harmful birds. This measure is in response to the repeated crop damage due to the increasing number of wild animals. In fact, last year, the county captured approximately 440 wild boars, 430 gorals, and 2,110 harmful birds, totaling around 2,980 animals, achieving tangible results in reducing farm damage. Especially since wild boars are considered a major factor in the spread of ASF, the importance of preemptive capture is being further emphasized. The county is also working to enhance the effectiveness of the capture activities while ensuring safety management. Considering the nature of the work that involves the use of firearms, the county conducted firearm handling guidelines and field safety regulations training for the Damage Prevention Team in December last year. Additionally, the county is strengthening advance notice and on-site management to prevent residents' anxiety when activities are conducted near residential areas. Farmers who have suffered damage can request capture through the Environmental Development Team at the township administrative welfare centers this year, and the county plans to deploy the Damage Prevention Team immediately upon receiving a report to respond quickly to the areas where the animals appear and where the damage has occurred. Yanggu County plans to maintain a permanent response system centered around the Harmful Wildlife Damage Prevention Team and to concentrate administrative efforts on protecting farmers' property rights and creating a stable farming environment. Kim Soon-hee, the head of the Ecological Forestry Division, said, "Given the recurring damage caused by harmful wildlife, preemptive measures are most important" and "We will continue to achieve a tangible reduction in damage through systematic capture activities and thorough safety management, which the residents can feel."