Eight crested ibises have been reintroduced into the wild in a Japanese town, decades after they disappeared from the country. This event took place in Hakui city, located in the Noto region, where these birds were last sighted in their natural habitat. During a ceremony on Sunday, enthusiasm filled the air as observers watched the birds soar into the sky.
Crown Prince Akishino, his wife Kiko, and other officials were present to witness the momentous occasion. The birds had been raised at a conservation center on Sado Island in Niigata. This followed a successful captive-breeding program. Another ten birds are on standby for future release. Known as ‘Toki’ in Japan, these birds are native to East Asia. They are admired for the orange-pink glow under their wings and the bright red that surrounds their eyes.
The crested ibises became extinct on Japan’s main island, Honshu, in the 1970s. Overhunting and environmental deterioration were primary threats. The last Japanese native ibis died on Sado Island in 2003. However, with China’s assistance in breeding efforts, there was hope. In 1999, a pair donated from China led to the birth of the first ibis chick in Japan through artificial breeding, as noted by the Environment Ministry.
These breeding and conservation initiatives have contributed significantly to the recovery of the ibis population. In 2008, the Sado conservation center saw its first release of 10 ibises into the wild. Since then, their numbers have grown to about 500 on the island, according to the ministry. Sunday’s release was also symbolic, representing hope for the Noto region, which is continuing its recovery after a destructive earthquake in 2024.
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