Japanese Crested Ibis in Japanese zoos

[Kifaru Bwana]

Construction has begun on a large pavilion to exhibit Asian crested ibises, with completion scheduled for February 2026.

This brings me to a query: What is the status for Japan crested ibis Nipponia nippon in zoos and breeding facilities in Japan? I know that Tokyo Tama maintains their birds off-exhibit. Just how many and what about the other Japanese zoos holding specimens? Anyone with more concrete data or figures about them (M/F/U and/or breeding) that would be greatly appreciated.

Fleetingly, I seem to remember several other zoos do have Japan crested ibis too! Names that come up are Omoriya Zoo as well as Ishikawa Zoo on Honshu, the latter being the mainstay of their original distribution and the current site of a planned reintroduction program.

Omoriya Zoo ... I am not completely sure, but think they also help administer/maintain the second Japan Crested Ibis Breeding Center there.

Of course, the Tokyo Ueno Zoo of old ... already assisted in establishing the Sado Japan Crested Ibis Breeding Center.

Of course, this should fit in a Japan / JAZA specific discourse on this iconic Japanese threatened species and its recovery.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

This feature article in Japan Poultry Science Association might also be of some interest to readers on Zoochat:

Forefront of Avian Conservation-1. Contribution of Zoo on the Conservation of Toki (Nipponia nippon)｜Japan Poultry Science Association

The feature elaborates about the "artificial" breeding of Japan crested history from the time Tokyo Zoos got involved, the Sado Japan Crested Ibis Breeding Center and on from there.

 

[Veno]

As of March 31, 2025, Tama Zoological Park houses 8 ibises (4.3.1). As of March 25, 2025, a total of 141 ibises are kept across seven facilities in Japan. Of these, only Tama Zoological Park and Ishikawa Zoo are zoos, while the others are breeding centers. Omoriyama Zoo, however, has never housed Asian crested ibises. Instead, it actively participates in conservation efforts for species like Blakiston's fish owl and Japanese golden eagle, making significant contributions to the preservation of Japan's raptors.