Japan's Shoebillmania

[zoogeekmaelstrom]

Hello, I was just wondering why are there so many shoebills in Japan. Outside of Africa, Japan has the most shoebills, and all though there have been no records of shoebill hatchings, the species still remains popular among zoo enthuasiasts and the general public of Japan. Why do Japanese zoos love shoebills and what stems from it?

 

[Toki]

Hello, I was just wondering why are there so many shoebills in Japan. Outside of Africa, Japan has the most shoebills, and all though there have been no records of shoebill hatchings, the species still remains popular among zoo enthuasiasts and the general public of Japan. Why do Japanese zoos love shoebills and what stems from it?

Hi

Yes, I actually feel the same thing too.
Captive shoebills in Japan are mostly imported from African countries, such as Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan and Zambia, but details of their origin is unknown. Japan has been exporting Shoebills to South Korea and Germany in the past, but has not succeeded in reproduction, though pairing and reproduction challenges are going on.

This website has relatavely detailed information:
東京ハシビロ部