Rare Crested Ibises Return to Japan After Decades

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.

In a moment marking a significant environmental milestone, eight crested ibises were released into the wild in mid-Japan after decades of absence from the country's natural landscape. The event took place in Hakui city, a town in the Noto region, where the beloved birds were last seen in the wild.

Revered in Japan as Toki, these birds boast distinctive orange-pink hues beneath their wings. The release ceremony drew cheers from local residents as Crown Prince Akishino, his wife Kiko, and other officials freed the birds from their enclosures. This initiative is a testament to successful conservation efforts, primarily supported by China's provision of breeding pairs in 1999, which led to the first successful captive breeding of these birds in Japan.

The effort to restore the ibis population began in 2008 when 10 birds raised at the Sado conservation centre were released. Today, their numbers have risen to around 500, according to the Environment Ministry. The reintroduction of these vibrant creatures is also seen as a positive sign for the Noto region, following the devastating 2024 earthquake. With ten more ibises preparing for release, the future looks promising for this once near-lost symbol of Japanese wildlife.