Japan Releases Eight Endangered Crested Ibises into Wild

Japan has released eight endangered crested ibises into the wild in Ishikawa prefecture as part of ongoing conservation efforts to restore the population of the once-extinct bird. This marks a significant step in Japan's ibis conservation program.

Mon Jun 01 2026

Wild Release of Crested Ibises

On May 31, 2026, eight endangered crested ibises were released into the wild in Hakui, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan. The event was part of Japan's efforts to restore the ibis population, with many citizens and officials attending to witness the birds' flight. The released ibises soared powerfully into the sky from their release boxes, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd. One participant expressed, "They were so pretty," while another remarked, "I got goosebumps," conveying their joy at the birds' return.

Conservation Efforts and Reintroduction

Japan's native-born crested ibises technically went extinct in 2003, according to government websites. However, they have since been reintroduced into the wild through breeding programs and crested ibises donated by China. This release event is a result of these continuous conservation efforts and represents a crucial step in enabling the ibis to re-establish itself in Japan's natural ecosystem. It is hoped that the newly released ibises will successfully adapt to the wild and further increase their population.

*Source: YouTube: Reuters (2026-06-01)*

Tags: #일본 #따오기 #멸종위기종 #야생방사 #환경보존 #news