History of the Crested Ibis
-Past to PresentSado Ranger Office, Ministry of the Environment

Profile of the Crested Ibis
■Classification
Pelecaniformes Threskiornithidae■Scientific Name
Nipponia nippon■Size
Total Length：About 75 cm
Wing Span：About 140 cm
Weight：About 1.8 kg■Conservation Status
Critically Endangered (Japan)
Endangered (IUCN Red List)■Designations
Special Natural Monument（Law for the Protection ofCultural Properties）
Nationally Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(Species Conservation Act)
Internationally Protected Bird

Chronology of the Crested Ibis
■Until the Edo Era
Distributed in a wide area of eastern Japanin the early Edo Era, but the ban on hunting by
the Shogunate and the protection by daimyos
increased the population of the bird, resulting
in even wider distribution.
■Meiji Era
Removal of the hunting ban resulted in a
drastic decline in its population due touncontrolled hunting.
Eliminated as vermin, sold as medicine,
exported as a decorative item.

1908
1926
1929
1931

1934
1946

1952
1953

1957
1959

Distribution of Crested Ibis
● Release Areas
Former Habitats of the
Crested Ibis
Former Distribution

1962
1967

1970
1971

Sado

●

●●
●●

●
●

●

1971
1981
1981
1993

1999

2003
Created based on Yamashina and Nakanishi (1983), Birdlife International(2001), Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History (2010), Park et al. (2010),
and So and Kawai (2015).

Game Act Enforcement Regulations designated the bird
as a protected bird
Extinction registered due to uncontrolled hunting
Crested ibis rediscovered on the Noto Peninsula
Living crested ibis reported on Sado Island
A wildlife safety zone established on Mt. Bijo on the
Noto Peninsula
Designation as a natural monument (Act on Protectionof Cultural Properties)
An attempt to feed crested ibis started by residents of
Sado
Designation as a special natural monument
Inauguration of the Sado Toki Welfare Association(reorganized as the Sado Toki Conservation Associationin 1959)
Inauguration of the Hakui Toki Conservation Association
Inauguration of the Crested Ibis Conservation and
Propagation Project (Agency for Cultural Affairs andNiigata Prefectural Board of Education）
Inauguration of the Niibo Toki Welfare Association
Surveillance campaign prohibited entry to breedingsites in the mountains
Feeding activities and establishment of pesticide-free
feeding grounds
Movement for purchasing nationally-owned forest
lands to secure crested ibis habitats
Nesting habitat area nationalized
Inauguration of the Sado Japanese Crested Ibis
Conservation Center
The last crested ibis living on the main island of Japan,
named Nori, moved from Noto to Sado Island
Inauguration of the Crested Ibis Protection Society of
RyotsuInauguration of the Environmental Agency (spun off
from the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 1975)
All five wild crested ibises captured, thus extinct in thewild
Rediscovery of wild crested ibises in China
Categorized in the nationally endangered species of wild
fauna and flora (Act on Conservation of Endangered
Species)
Two crested ibises sent by China as a gift (You-you andYang-yang)
The first successful captive breeding case in Japan(birth of Yu-yu)
The Environmental Restoration Vision created, amaterial plan for them returning to the wild
Kin, the last crested ibis born in Japan, died

Reintroduction of the Crested Ibis to theWild-Progress of the Reintroduction ProgramSado Ranger Office, Ministry of the Environment

Long Term Efforts for the Protection of Crested Ibis in Sado and for Captive Breeding in Japan

Successful artificial incubation in Japan

1999年
2003

Environment Restoration
Vision formed,
with a goal of having 60
crested ibises settled
the revised program of
the Crested Ibis
Protection andReproduction Program

Captive breeding andpre-release training,
release and monitoring<Reintroduction Vision>
Releasing a stable number ofcrested ibises
Restoring the genetic
diversity of the birds
Inauguration of the Station
for Crested Ibis to Return to
the Wild

Promotion and education of“theGuidelines for Coexistence of
Humans and Crested
Ibis”and“the Observation
Guidelines”

Habitat improvement in agriculturalareas (Ministry ofAgriculture,Forestry and Fisheries,
Niigata Prefecture, Sado City, etc.)

Sado Toki Fan Club,Toki
Guides,and promotion activities by
Toki Coexistence Promoters,etc.

Natural breeding of thereleased birds

Habitat improvement around rivers(Niigata Prefecture,etc.)

Holding Round-table Talks on
Coexistence with Crested Ibis

Restoring the genetic
diversity of the birds

Habitat improvement in forests(Forestry Agency, Niigata
Prefecture,
Sado City,etc.)

Inauguration of theTransdisciplinary Research
Program “Crested Ibis Project”
founded by Niigata University

Biotopes improvement activities by
relevant entities

Crested Ibis Island Environmental
Restoration Leadership Training
Unit formed by Niigata University

Accumulation oftraining/releasing
techniques

Monitoring commenced

2014

2016

Inauguration of the Sado
Society for Crested Ibis andRice Paddy Conservation

Inauguration of the Liaison
Council on Returning Crested Ibis
to the Wild
Inauguration of the Council for
Developing a Symbiotic Island for
Crested Ibis and Humans
Inauguration of the Crested Ibis
Conference Hall“Toki Koryu
Kaikan”“Toki to Kurasu Sato”(Symbiotic
Village with Crested Ibises) Rice
Certification Program (Sado
City,etc.)

Decentralized breeding
implemented

2013

Feeding environment
developed by private entities,
etc. in the east Kosado area

Social environmental
improvement<Community Vision>

Release of crested ibis commenced

2008

2012

Habitat development<Nature Restoration
Vision>A case of successful breeding of wild crested ibises
Roadmap for Crested
Ibis to Return to the Wilddeveloped

Banding program started
with wild crested ibischicksThe use of agriculturalchemicals reduced by
50% in koshihikari riceproduction (JA Sado)

Inauguration of Toki
Fureai Plaza (Crested
Ibis Interaction Plaza)

Reached the goal of “having 60 crested ibises settled within Sado Island”【Factors for the reestablishment of Toki population】・Long-term efforts and passion of the community members
involved ・Consensus in the community as a whole for various continuous and cumulative engagements, as well as
for symbiosis with crested ibis
Development of theBirth of purely wild crested
Roadmap for Crested
ibis; Inauguration of the
Ibis to Return to the Wild
counting program of crested
2020, with the goal of having
ibises leaving their nests
220 crested ibises settled

2018

Reached the goal of “having 220 crested ibises settled within Sado Island”
The use of neonicotinoid
pesticides completely
terminated in wet-rice
cultivation (JA Sado)

2019

Redesignated from“Extinct in the Wild(EW)”to“Critically Endangered(CR)”
Released throughout
Sado Island

2021

Inauguration of Toki
Observation Post (Tokino Mikata Teiryujo)

Revised program of the
Crested Ibis Protection andReproduction Program
Roadmap for Crested Ibis to
Return to the Wild 2025
developed

Inauguration of“Tokino Terrace”

Captive Breeding-Ex Situ ConservationSado Ranger Office, Ministry of the Environment

Captive Breeding of Crested Ibis
Domestically, efforts have been made to establish
captive breeding methods for crested ibis mainly at
Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Conservation Centerin Niigata Prefecture.
A pair of crested ibises (You-you and Yang-yang)
was brought to Japan from China in 1999. In thesame year, Yu-yu was born, which marked thefirst successful case of a crested ibis’ artificial
hatching in Japan. Since then, captive breeding
has been successful year after year and the
population of crested ibis has increased gradually.

Population of Crested Ibis in Captivity and Decentralized Breeding Efforts400

佐渡トキ保護センター
Sado
Japanese Crested Ibis Conservation Center
野生復帰ステーション
Stationfor Crested Ibis to Return to the Wild
佐渡市トキふれあいプラザ
Toki
Fureai Plaza (Sado, Niigata)

Population of Wild-born Crested Ibis
野生生まれ個体350

Captive Population
飼育個体

300

放鳥個体
Population of Released Crested Ibis
Ishikawa Zoo
いしかわ動物園

250

Crested Ibis Decentralized
Breeding Center in Nagaoka

長岡市トキ分散飼育センター

200

Crested Ibis

出雲市トキ分散飼育センター
Decentralized150

多摩動物公園
Tama Zoological Park

Breeding Center in
Izumo

100

2020

2016

2012

2008

2004

2000

1996

1992

1988

1984

1980

1976

1972

1968

1964

1960

0

1956

50
1952

Population of Crested Ibis

As a measure against risks posed by environmental changes and infectious diseases, including avian
influenza, approximately 200 crested ibises are kept at multiple geographically-dispersed locations tosecure a population to be released.

* Population at the end of each year

Restoring the Genetic Diversity of the
Crested Ibis
Seven crested ibises were donated by China,
becoming the first generation to reproduce
later generations to secure the genetic
diversity of the species.

You-you and Yang-yang

Mei-meiYi-shui

Hua-yang

Guan-guan

Present Captive Population of Crested Ibis
Total Captive
Population

Male

Female

161

84

77

Sado Japanese Crested Ibis
Conservation Center

90

43

47

Station for Crested Ibis to Returnto the Wild

34

18

16

Toki Fureai Plaza (Sado, Niigata)

2

1

1

Tama Zoological Park

7

4

3

Ishikawa Zoo

7

3

4

Crested Ibis Decentralized Breeding
Center in Nagaoka

11

8

3

Crested Ibis Decentralized Breeding
Center in Izumo

10

7

3

Total

Lou-lou(As of December 31, 2023)

Pre-release Training and Release-Into the Vast Sky Over Sado IslandSado Ranger Office, Ministry of the Environment

Station for Crested Ibis to Return to the Wild and Pre-release Training
In 2003, the “Environmental Restoration
Vision” was established to set a practicalgoal for Crested Ibis reintroduction in thewild.
In 2007, the Station for Crested Ibis to
Return to the Wild was founded as a training
facility for crested ibises to acquire abilities
necessary to survive in the wild.
In September 2008, the first group of
crested ibises was released. So far, a total of
29 groups have been released, sending 490
crested ibises in to the wild.

First Group of
Crested Ibis
Released in the Wild

Pre-release
Training Cages in
an Environment
Closed to Nature

Purposes of Pre-release Training
The training lasts about three months to let crested ibises acquire four key skills tosurvive in the wild after release.
①Foraging②Flying③Flocking④Acclimation to
Human Activities

The birds search for prey inmuddy ponds similar to ricepaddies by using thesenses on the tip of theirbeak.

Birds learn to fly inside a
spacious cage, measuring 80
meters long by 50 meters wideby 15 meters high.

Birds develop a habit offlocking by being trained tostay in a group of about
twenty.

This gives the crested ibises
opportunities to get used tohuman activities by showing themsome farming activities, including
mowing, and approaching vehicles,
among others.

Outcomes of Releases through Today and Survival Rates of Released Crested Ibises
We currently use two ways to release birds in to the wild: One is called “hard release,” where crested ibises aretransported to a release point and set free from boxes there; whereas the other one is called “soft release,”
where the cage is opened to let the crested ibises to fly out of it freely at their own will.
ReleaseNumber1

ReleaseStart Date2008 2009 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 2019 2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 2022 2022 2023. 2023.
9.25 9.29 11.1 3.10 9.27 6.8 9.28 6.7 9.27 6.6 9.26 6.5 9.25 6.10 9.23 6.2 9.22 6.8 10.15 6.7 9.27 6.5 9.18 6.5 9.17 6.7 9.21 5.30 9.29

Release
MethodHard Soft

Number of
ReleasedBirds

10 19 13 18 18 13 17 17 17 17 18 19 19 18 19 18 19 19 19 20 17 18 16 17 14 17 16 13 15

Male

5

8

8

10

11

10

3

13

3

11

4

15

2

16

5

8

14

11

19

14

11

11

8

4

9

5

13

6

6

Female

5

11

5

8

7

3

14

4

14

6

14

4

17

2

14

10

5

8

0

6

6

7

8

13

5

12

3

7

9

One-year
Survival
Rates (%)

70.0 63.2 44.4 66.7 77.8 61.5 41.2 94.1 52.9 64.7 61.1 89.5 57.9 88.9 73.7 50.0 57.9 68.4 36.8 40.0 52.9 33.3 31.3 41.2 64.3 41.2 25.0--

Population of
Crested Ibises
Traveling to
the Mainland

4

0

0

2

3

3

Soft

2

4

Soft

0

5

Soft

0

6

Soft

0

7

Soft

0

8

Soft

0

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Soft

1

Soft

1

Soft

0

Soft

0

Soft

1

Soft

1

Soft

3

Soft

0

Soft

0

Soft

1

Hard
Hard
Hard Hard Hard
Hard
Hard
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft Soft Soft
Soft
Soft

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

▲Soft Release▲Hard Release

Crested Ibis in the Wild
-Post-release Behavior of Crested IbisesSado Ranger Office, Ministry of the Environment

Wild Crested Ibis Population and Its
Evolution

Distribution of Crested Ibis

Estimated Population of Crested Ibis

The continued releases of crested ibises andsuccessful breeding in the wild, the birds’
population has increased to around 500.

The plains of Sado Island are their main habitat.

600
Population of Wild-born Crested Ibis
野生生まれ個体500

High

Population of Released Crested Ibis
放鳥個体

Observed Frequency

400
382

300

254 277

Low

380

325

193
140

200

80
34

100
0

8
9

26

31

49

68

41

11
114
86 105132 151

171 170 165 153 163 152（2008～2023）

Habitat of Crested Ibis

Dispersal to the Mainland

Both the shallow water areas for feeding andthe forest areas for roosting and nesting are
required for crested ibises to survive. In Sado,
where the crested ibis is a symbol, environmentfriendly agriculture, biotope development,
natural regeneration of rivers and forests, forest
management, and other activities are promoted
to create a habitat for crested ibis.

There are 33 confirmed cases of crested ibises
flying to the mainland so far. Some crested ibises
have been confirmed about 300 km away from
Sado.

300km

200km

100km

ReleasePoints（2008～2023）

Foraging Environment for Crested Ibis
Wild crested ibises prefer shallow
water areas for foraging, but thefrequency of their visits to ricepaddies, biotopes, and ridges, etc.,
may vary depending on theseason or the state of the ricepaddies.
Deep Snow Season

Around the Rice
Planting Season

Rice Growing
SeasonAfter the Harvest

Monitoring the Crested Ibis
-Understanding the Progress of Reintroduction into the Wild-

Sado Ranger Office, Ministry of the Environment

What Do We Monitor about the Crested Ibises?
Citizens

Crested Ibis Monitoring TeamA research program monitors the
population of crested ibis, their
Ministry of the Environment, Niigata
distribution, their survival rates, and their
University, and Citizen Volunteers
About 20 People in Total
reproduction, among other metrics, toverify the progress of the crested ibises
returning to the wild.
The crested ibis monitoring team, madeup of members from the Ministry of theEnvironment, Niigata University, andcitizen volunteers, conducts the research
on an almost daily basis. In addition,
Publication on
Database Compilation
the Website
information reported by citizen
eyewitnesses also plays an important role.
The outcomes obtained from themonitoring are made use of in thecaptive breeding of crested ibis and theimprovement of their habitat.
Information Sharing with
Relevant Institutions andResearchers
Leveraging in Various
Kinds of Researches

Internet

Email

Telephone
FAX

Crested Ibis
Community Hall

Informative Feedback

Monitoring Methods①Verification of Their Survival

Markers②Reproductive Research③Counting Program of Crested
Ibises Leaving Their Roosts

Hatching and fledging arerecorded by observing thenests of the crested ibises.
Unsuccessful breedingcases are subject toinvestigation of the causes.

To keep track of the
population of crested ibises
throughout Sado Island,
the number of birds flyingout of their roosts is counted in
September and November.

Bird Bands

Each crested ibis is identified with amarker painted on their wing or with aband on their leg to monitor anindividual’s survival. Causes of death
are also investigated.

Your reporting on any crested ibis witnessed is much appreciated.
The population of crested ibises is increasing and their habitat is also
Toll Free Number to Report Any Information on
expanding.
Crested Ibises Witnessed (within Niigata Prefecture)
Any information from you serves as an important clue to understanding thesituations of wild crested ibises. During the breeding season from February
through July, in particular, information on the forests visited by crested ibises,
among other information, could lead to the discovery of nesting sites.
In case you have noticed any unusual behaviors of the crested ibises, such
Online Form for Eyewitnesses
as the forests being particularly noisy lately, or crested ibises witnessed
carrying branches, or if you have witnessed any crested ibises in an area inwhich they are rarely seen, please let us know.
トキ目撃情報0120-980-551

Link:

https://tokihogocenter.site/station/06f_rep/form.html

The Progress of Wild Crested Ibis Breeding-Birth of New LifeSado Ranger Office, Ministry of the Environment

Color Evolutions in Crested Ibis Feathers
Sept. through Nov.

Toki Color
The pale gentle pink feathers are one of theoutstanding features of the crested ibis.

Dec. through Aug.
Coloration

Makeup Colors
In around December, crested ibises rub thedark skin of their necks on their heads anddown their backs as they bathe, resulting in
the color of the feathers turning gray.
No other bird in the world shows this change
in feather colors. The change in the colors of
the plumage signifies the start of theirbreeding season.

Molting
Basic Plumage

Nuptial Plumage

Crested Ibis Breeding Cycles
Around January, the crested ibises start toexhibit courtship displays and find theirmates.
Around February, they build nests, and lay
eggs around March. The male and thefemale take turns keeping their eggs warm,
until they hatch in about 28 days. After
hatching, both the male and the female
bring food for their chicks until they leave
the nest at about 40 days.
When the breeding season ends, they form aflock inclusive of the juveniles that have justleft their nest in the same year.

Courting
January

FebruaryNon-breeding
PeriodMarch

Nesting

Flocking
April

June
May

Incubation

Fledging

Brooding

Results of Breeding to Date
180
160
140

Number of Breeding Pairs
繁殖ペア数
Number of Pairs with Chicks
巣立ち雛数
Confirmed to Have Fledged

120
100
80
60
40

In 2012, crested ibis chicks released from our facility
fledged for the first time.
In 2016, chicks of the parents both born in the wild
(purely wild crested ibises) fledged for the first time.

20
0

Results of Breeding to Date

Future of Crested Ibis Reintroduction-For Coexistence of Humans and Crested IbisesSado Ranger Office, Ministry of the Environment

How to Observe Crested Ibises -Support Them through Thoughtful ObservationAn increase in the population has provided more opportunities to observe wild crested ibises.
The Ministry of the Environment has prepared “How to Observe Crested Ibises,” a leaflet that outlines
appropriate ways of observing wild crested ibises, based on the “Guidelines for Coexistence withCrested Ibises”, as part of its enhanced awareness/education programs.

やさしい見方であなたもトキの味方に①Keep a distance from the crested ibises and observe them silently.
②Try not to disturb the community. Do not enter farmland without permission.
③Stay inside your car when observing. (Do not block traffic.)④Avoid loud noises or lights.
⑤Stay away from their nests during the breeding season (February through June).

Let’s Meet Wild Crest Ibises!
Toki no Mikata Teiryujo(Toki Observation Post)

Toki no Terrace※ In front of the Observation Post

The post is located at the entrance toCrested Ibis Community Hall.
The crested ibises can be observed flying
across in front of the post or resting on thewithered trees.

Crested Ibis Community
Hall/Toki no Mikata Teiryujo

In the indoor observation room, there is an
exhibition on wild crested ibis, and its rooftop
provides a panoramic view of the nature-richlandscape of Sado, which wild crested ibises
inhabit.

Toki no Terrace/Station for
Crested Ibis to Return to the Wild

Address: 1101-1 Niibo Katagami, Sado

Address: 1277 Niibo Shomyoji, Sado

Phone: 0259-24-6040

Phone: 0259-24-6151