8 crested ibises released in Japanese town decades after extinction in Japan
The release aims to expand habitat beyond Sado Island as officials seek to raise Japan’s mature crested ibis population to over 1,000.
- On Sunday, eight crested ibises were released into the wild in Hakui, a town in the Noto region where the birds were last seen decades ago. Crown Prince Akishino and Kiko attended the ceremony as residents cheered.
- Extinct on Honshu since the 1970s, the species revered as Toki faced environmental degradation and overhunting. Breeding efforts began in 1999 when China provided the first pair to Japan's Environment Ministry, enabling captive reproduction.
- Conservationists first released 10 birds on Sado Island in 2008, and according to the Environment Ministry, that population has since grown to around 500, demonstrating the program's success.
- Local residents view the release as a positive omen for the Noto region, which continues recovering from the 2024 earthquake. The birds symbolize hope for ongoing restoration efforts.
- With 10 more ibises currently preparing for release, the Environment Ministry continues its conservation program to restore the Toki population, once considered a near-lost symbol of Japan.
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Extinct bird suddenly reappears in wild in Japan (wow!) – The...
Eight crested ibises were released into the wild in a north-central Japanese town, decades after the birds went extinct in the country. The endangered birds took off from each of their wooden cages at a ceremony Sunday in Hakui city in the Noto region, where they were last seen in the wild. Residents cheered when the birds soared into the sky the moment Crown Prince Akishino, his wife Kiko and other officials cut a ribbon around the cages. The e…
Endangered birds flew out of their wooden cages yesterday during a ceremony in the Noto region
Rare Crested Ibises Return to Japan After Decades | Science-Environment
Eight crested ibises have been reintroduced to the wild in Japan, decades after their extinction in the country. With help from China, conservation efforts have bolstered the population, offering hope for future releases.
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