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Japan's Rare Birds Soar: Conservation Success Story!
23 Jul
Summary
- Two rare bird species on Amami-Oshima are no longer threatened.
- Conservation efforts spanned over 25 years.
- Amami woodcock population grew from 4,100 to 17,000.
Japan has successfully concluded its first-ever protection and propagation program for endangered species, significantly boosting the populations of two rare birds on Amami-Oshima Island. The Amami woodcock and Amami thrush, once critically endangered, have been reclassified as 'Near Threatened' as of March 2026.
These conservation successes are the result of over a quarter-century of intensive work, beginning in 1999. Key measures included eradicating invasive species, with mongooses notably cleared from Amami-Oshima in 2024, and establishing the Amami island chain as a national park.
The impact of these initiatives is profound. The estimated Amami woodcock population on three islands, including Amami-Oshima, surged from about 4,100 in 2007 to approximately 17,000 in 2021. The Amami thrush also demonstrated population recovery and range expansion, underscoring the effectiveness of these dedicated efforts.
This achievement serves as a vital example that biodiversity loss can be reversed with appropriate action. The Ministry of the Environment currently manages 58 plans for 79 rare species, aiming to complete more such programs by 2030.
