In a captivating display of nature, Everland, operated by Samsung C&T's Resort Division, is drawing visitors with its special nighttime ecological content that showcases the enchanting glow of fireflies and the dynamic nocturnal activities of wild animals. This late summer experience allows guests to fully enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the season.
1,300 Fireflies Illuminate the Night
Since July 24, Everland has been hosting its 'Midsummer Night Firefly Festival.' The event runs daily from 5 PM to 9 PM at the Lost Valley Education Center and is now completely free of charge, a gesture by Everland to raise awareness about ecological conservation. This lowered barrier to entry has resulted in over 30,000 visitors within just two weeks of its opening.
Guests first learn about the life cycle of fireflies in a camping-themed area before moving to a darkened forest experience. As all lights are extinguished, the moment of complete darkness is met with awe as approximately 13,000 fireflies emit their soft green glow, floating in the air.
As visitors clap softly in delight, the light becomes brighter and more vivid. The glow of fireflies serves as a warning signal to predators, and they respond to sounds or stimuli by emitting brighter light. Over time, this has evolved into a mating signal.
While fireflies engage in a fierce struggle for survival and love, the spectators experience a contrasting sense of tranquility. Gazing at the soft green lights in the darkness calms the mind.
To maintain this gentle glow, Everland's zookeepers dedicate an entire year to the process. Fireflies hatch from eggs and spend about ten months in water, feeding on snails before undergoing metamorphosis into adults. However, the period during which they emit light to attract mates lasts only about two weeks.
Kim Jin-mok, a zookeeper, stated, "Fireflies are sensitive insects that only inhabit clean, first-grade water and light-free environments. Everland has been creating optimal conditions for them based on 28 years of artificial breeding and rearing expertise since 1998."
Awakening of the Wild: Night Safari
Everland's summer nights are not limited to serene ecological experiences. As dusk falls, the true wild nature of the animals awakens after nearly 18 hours of rest.
The 'Summer Night Safari,' open for free until 9 PM, offers an immersive experience as guests board a special EV bus with low noise levels, accompanied by thrilling music as they venture into the wild. The movements of the nocturnal animals reveal a different side compared to daytime.
Entering the Lion Savannah, a unique tension fills the air as larger white lions stand guard over their territory. The lionesses, shedding their daytime lethargy, exude a fierce wildness.
In the tiger territory, Bengal tigers can be seen closely pursuing the safari bus. The Korean tiger, measuring 3.3 meters and weighing 370 kg, and the legendary white tiger each display their overwhelming charm. It is said that making a wish when gazing into the blue eyes of a white tiger can make it come true, adding to the thrill of the Night Safari.
The endangered Asiatic black bear captures attention as it skillfully retrieves snacks from a container with its paws. The grand finale of the safari features the Eurasian brown bear, which stands 2.8 meters tall and weighs 400 kg. Sensitive to heat, these bears enjoy swimming in their dedicated water playground, 'Caribbean Bear,' providing a unique spectacle.
As word spreads about the dynamic nocturnal behaviors of the animals, the Night Safari has attracted 120,000 visitors within just 50 days of its opening, establishing itself as a key attraction for summer nights at Everland. Jeong Dong-hee, the director of Everland Zoo, explained, "Our zookeepers and veterinarians work hard to ensure animal welfare and health while continuously striving to create ecological content that fosters deep connections with visitors."
Celebrating the Birth of 'Raon': A Baby Lion After Eight Years
After experiencing the wild, visitors can now connect with a charming new life. The star of Everland Zoo is undoubtedly the baby lion 'Raon,' born on June 5 at Safari World, marking the first lion birth at Everland in eight years.
The birth was not without challenges. The mother lion tragically passed away during an unexpected complication, leading zookeepers and veterinarians to care for Raon around the clock with bottle feeding. After overcoming this crisis, Raon has grown healthily to over 5.5 kg and is now transitioning from milk to solid food.
Currently, Raon can only be viewed through a window, with visiting hours on weekdays from 10 AM to 12 PM and 2:30 PM to 5 PM, and on weekends from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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