Crested ibises return to Honshu in landmark conservation release

Crested ibises return to Honshu in landmark conservation release
Crested ibises are released into the wild in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, 31 May 2026.
NHK

Japan has released crested ibises into the wild on Honshu for the first time, marking a major conservation milestone in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture.

Rare birds return

Crested ibises, designated as a Special Natural Monument in Japan, have been released into the wild on Honshu for the first time.

The release took place on Sunday (31 May) in Hakui City, in the earthquake-hit Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture. Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Akishino attended the ceremony alongside local residents involved in conservation efforts.

Ishikawa Governor Yamano Yukiyoshi said the release symbolised the reconstruction of the Noto region. He said the prefecture hoped the event would support the long-term recovery of the species by promoting coexistence with nature.

Eight crested ibises were released by Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Akishino and residents who have spent years supporting conservation activities.

Conservation effort

The last wild crested ibis on Honshu was captured in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1970. Since then, birds donated by China have been used in breeding programmes on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture.

Sunday's event marked the first time the birds have been released into the wild on Honshu. Muramoto Yoshio, a 101-year-old resident of Hakui who has worked on crested ibis conservation for more than 70 years, said he watched the birds fly away in the hope that they would settle in Noto.

Environment Minister Ishihara Hirotaka said his ministry wants to steadily increase the crested ibis population in Japan and aims to raise the number of mature birds to more than 1,000.

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