A local government is considering changing a reward system for hunting harmful wild animals due to growing criticism the current system is unethical and against animal welfare.

As part of efforts to control the number of wild animals that cause harm to crop fields and villagers, authorities have been providing since 2014 cash rewards to hunters based on the number of animals captured. The problem is the hunters were asked to submit evidence -- for instance, a tail of a wild pig or an ear of an elk -- to prove their catches. 

According to North Chungcheong Province, an average of 20,000-50,000 won ($17-$44) was given when one submitted a tail and an ear of wild pigs or elks. One can receive up to 2.4 million won of rewards in a year.

State figure showed that 567 wild pigs and 11,941 elks were captured across the country through this program this year, as of October.

Faced with mounting criticism that providing a part of a dead animal as evidence to receive rewards is unethical and against animal welfare, North Chungcheong Province said it would alter this reward system for capturing harmful wild animals from next year.

Some counties under North Chungcheong Province have been using different rewards systems. Seven out of 11 counties that reward the capturing of harmful wildlife have been providing rewards at the wild animal carcasses disposal center.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)