nipponia nippon ( toki )

Toki, the only wild crested ibises in the world, in Shaanxi province in China, are on

the increase. There are now 43 wild toki, plus 25 living at a breading center.

the province is considering giving bird to Japan to continue captive breeding efforts.

Japan had been attempting to breed the species at a facility on Sado island, Niigata.

but female ibis, on loan from China, was given back to Shaanxi after its last potential

mate died in April 1995. The breeding center in China, was established in 1990 with

Japanese assistance. It returned three birds to the wild.

" kin " the last individual of nipponia nippon in Japan , strayed into Mano, Sado island

in August 1967, soon after it was born. Under the direction of the committee for

protection of cultural assets, Kintaro Uji took the role of guarding the bird.

After 127 day nursing , the bird finally became tame enough to accept food directly

from his hand. In March the next year, the bird was captured by him as if being

embraced.

The bird was named " kin " after Kintaro Uji, In Sado Toki Protection Center.

Kin is keeping the record of longevity while in captivity.

Adult Japanese crested ibises become gray from the head to the back during the

breeding season, by smearing out the pigment secreted from the skin of the neck.

This information taken from Japan Times, Jeff durbin, niftyserve forum.

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