Japan Returns Rare Ibis to China, Aiming to Improve Relations

Release date: 2024-11-01 19:03

Guangdong

Japan has returned a rare bird, the ibis, to China for the first time in eight years, in a move aimed at improving relations between the two countries.

16 ibises born in Sado City, Niigashi Prefecture, Japan, including 7 males and 9 females, were flown to Beijing by plane and will be received by the Beijing Zoo.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Masaru stated that the ibis is a symbol of friendship between Japan and China, and he hopes that both sides will continue to promote cooperation in ibis protection to improve relations between the two countries.

This is the first time in 8 years since 2016 that Japan has returned the ibis to China, which was previously delayed due to the COVID-19 epidemic and transportation costs.

The Significance of the Ibis in China and Japan

The ibis is known as the “auspicious bird” in China, symbolizing happiness and auspiciousness. It is also commonly known as the peach blossom bird in Japan.

Once widely distributed in Northeast Asia, the number of ibises gradually decreased and has become extinct in Japan.

Conservation Efforts

China donated a pair of ibises to Japan in 1999, and they successfully bred offspring. Japan then continued to introduce ibises from China.

As of the end of last year, the number of wild ibises in Japan was estimated at 532, while there were about 160 in captivity.

According to the memorandum signed between China and Japan, Japan must return half of the artificially bred ibises to China.