Japanese people are very fond of the crested ibis, this crested ibis has a beautiful posture and white feathers, especially the Japanese imperial family has brought the crested ibises to the aura of the gods, implying that the auspicious crested ibises are also popular in the Japanese folk, becoming the national mascot in the hearts of the Japanese, and is also known as the "national bird" of Japan.
The crested ibis originally lived in China, Russia, the Korean Peninsula and Japan. But fates vary. In Russia, the crested ibis became extinct in 1963. On the Korean Peninsula, the crested ibises became extinct in 1975. In 1981, there were only 5 wild crested ibises left in Japan, and in order to allow the crested ibises to thrive, the Japanese captured these last 5 and raised them in captivity.
I don't know if it was the wrong method of artificial breeding, or the timing was wrong, but the persistence and enthusiasm of the Japanese people ultimately failed to keep the crested ibis alive. In 1985, two more died. The remaining 3 had no choice but to find Chinese to borrow the crested ibises to maintain the population. But still could not save the last crested ibis. In 2003, the last crested ibis died in Japan. The last Japanese crested ibis died at the age of 36 (equivalent to 100 years old for humans).
Crested ibises prefer to live in nests on tall trees. However, due to the gradual cutting down of tall trees by humans, it is difficult to find the shadow of the crested ibis, which was originally widely distributed in northeast China, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Gansu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan and Hainan. In addition, most of the paddy fields suitable for crested ibises foraging have been transformed into dry land, the extensive use of pesticides and the low reproductive ability of the crested ibises themselves and the weak ability to resist natural enemies have also made the crested ibises endangered in China.
Is there still a crested ibis in that world? Yes. In China. In the same year of the Japanese operation, in 1981, seven crested ibises were found in Yang County, Shaanxi, in the southern foothills of the Qinling Mountains. On the 7th day after the discovery of the crested ibis, the local "Qinling No. 1 Crested Ibis Group Protection Group" was set up to protect the wild crested ibis. After that, the Yangxian area began to restrict the use of pesticides, and activities such as felling and reclamation of trees were completely stopped. The scientific research institute has successfully realized the artificial breeding problem of crested ibis.
At the same time, the local farmers are not idle, farmers' protection of the crested ibis is also deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, if the farmers find an injured crested ibis, they will immediately report to the police station, wildlife protection station, crested ibis rescue and breeding center, the government, farmers, rescue agencies and scientific research institutes to form a joint force to jointly protect the crested ibis's last home.
The natural conditions of the Qinling Mountains coupled with the strong protection of local farmers, the scientific research institute in terms of natural reproduction and artificial reproduction, China's crested ibis population began to recover. From 7 in 1987, it has grown to more than 3,000 in 2019. The crested ibis, which was on the brink of extinction, was finally rescued in China.
Japan's treatment of wildlife protection is a last resort under the pressure of public opinion. China, on the other hand, is quietly acting. Today, in the paddy fields of the Qinling Mountains in the north of China, you can often see "crane" shaped animals with white long legs, which is actually after the environment has improved, the crested ibises have returned to nature and hometown. In the current Yang County, the farmers' paddy fields and trees can often see crested ibises playing, and in the farther ankang, Baoji, weinan, wild crested ibises have been found one after another.
The rebirth of the crested ibis actually tells us that the destruction of the natural environment is equivalent to human beings abandoning their martial arts, and in the end, they will still hurt human beings themselves. A good ecology is of great significance to agricultural production and rural life.
In recent years, in the fields and rivers of the countryside, have you found insects and birds that have not been seen for many years and have returned? Welcome to participate in the discussion in the message area at the end of the article.