South and North Korea have made their first official animal exchange at the Gaesong Industrial Complex in the North.

The South's team led by Han In-kyu, chief of the Seoul Grand Park, and 16 animal trainers entered the North by land Thursday to meet staff from the Central Zoo of Pyongyang.

The South gave ten animals from five non-indigenous species including hippos, red kangaroos and wallaroos and the North 16 animals from five species such as coyotes, lynxes, and Asian black bears.

The exchange was aimed to promote inter-Korean friendship, protect endangered animals and prevent inbreeding.