The sudden death syndrome has been encountered in Korean native cattle in a small island village of Yeochun, Chonnam since 1984. In an effort to diagnose the causes of the condition, 10 calves were purchased and shipped to the village to be reared conventionally. During the period of April 1988 through March 1989 the animals were clinically examined every month, samples of blood and feces collected and examined. Soils, plants and water samples were analysed, and necropsy was performed on two calves which died during the period. No abnormalities were found by clinical examination. Soil, plant and water analysis did not reveal any abnormalities which could be related to sudden death. One of the 2 dead calves was fallen and suffocated to death after the right hock was tied by rein. The other had a torsion In jejunum after plowing. Epidemiological examination revealed that two calves of one farmer died in one day from bloat. Authors explained the results and asked the people in the island to improve management of the animals, and no more sudden death occurred for 2 years.