Crested Ibises Released in Japan After Extinction

In a significant event, eight crested ibises were reintroduced into the wild in Hakui city, a north-central Japanese town. Decades earlier, these birds had vanished from Japan. Known for their striking looks, these birds are part of an endangered species once thriving in East Asia. Residents of the town celebrated as the ibises soared into the sky, freed from their wooden enclosures during a special ceremony. Important figures, including Crown Prince Akishino and his wife Kiko, participated in the event by cutting a ribbon around the cages.

The recently released ibises were nurtured at a conservation facility on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. This was part of a successful captive-breeding initiative. Another batch of ten birds awaits release. Locally known as Toki, these birds are celebrated for their distinctive orange-pink hues visible under their wings and vivid red eye markings. The ibises disappeared from Honshu’s main island during the 1970s due to hunting and environmental harm. The last known native ibis from Japan passed away in 2003 on Sado Island.

Remarkably, the species’ revival has been largely attributed to China’s support. In 1999, Japan witnessed its first crested ibis chick born in captivity, thanks to a breeding pair donated from China, according to the Environment Ministry. Conservation efforts have been fruitful. In 2008, Japan released ten ibises raised on Sado Island into the wild. Their numbers have since increased to roughly 500.

Sunday’s release holds symbolic significance for the Noto region, which is still in the recovery phase after the devastating 2024 earthquake. The return of these cherished birds brings hope and is seen as a positive omen for the area’s future.