TOKYO - Japan's Environment Ministry has removed the red-crowned crane, a nationally designated Special Natural Monument, from its list of endangered species for the first time, citing a recovery in population driven by long-term conservation efforts, while also lowering the extinction risk classification of the crested ibis by one level as its numbers continue to rebound.
According to the ministry’s updated Red List, which tracks wildlife species at risk of extinction, the population of the red-crowned crane—known in Japan as tancho—has steadily increased due to habitat protection and breeding programs, allowing it to be delisted from the endangered category.
The crested ibis, another Special Natural Monument, has also seen improvements in its conservation status, with officials noting that sustained reintroduction and protection measures have contributed to a gradual recovery in its population, leading to a reduced level of extinction risk.
The red-crowned crane once faced severe decline in Japan, particularly in Hokkaido, where habitat loss and overhunting reduced the population to just a few dozen birds by the early 20th century. The species was believed to be on the brink of extinction until small surviving groups were rediscovered in the Kushiro wetlands.
In response, local communities began winter feeding programs in the 1950s to help cranes survive harsh conditions when natural food sources were scarce, a practice that later expanded with government support. The designation of the Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland as a protected national park further strengthened habitat conservation, while restrictions on development and land use helped preserve breeding grounds.
Breeding and monitoring programs have also played a critical role, with researchers tracking migration patterns, nesting success, and genetic diversity to ensure a stable population. Public awareness campaigns and eco-tourism initiatives have further contributed by fostering local support and generating funding for conservation.
As a result, the number of red-crowned cranes in Japan has grown to over 1,800 in recent years, marking a significant recovery from near extinction and positioning the species as a rare example of successful long-term wildlife conservation.
The crested ibis, another Special Natural Monument, has also seen improvements in its conservation status, with officials noting that captive breeding and reintroduction programs—particularly on Sado Island—have contributed to a gradual recovery in its population, leading to a reduced level of extinction risk.
Source: テレ東BIZ
