Yesterday (month and date), the Japanese Ministry of the Environment announced that it will return 5 crested ibises born in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, to China. The Chinese side will visit Japan on the specified date, hold a handover signing ceremony at the Crested Ibis Exchange Hall in Sado City, and transport these ibises to Beijing on the following day.

This marks the first time in years that the release of crested ibises has been conducted. According to the memorandum between China and Japan, Japan is required to return half of the offspring bred from the crested ibises provided by China.

△ Crested Ibis (File Photo)

According to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, the crested ibises being returned were born at the Sado Crested Ibis Conservation Center between the years and, consisting of 10 females and 7 males. Prior to transportation, they were quarantined and underwent relevant inspections, including for avian influenza. These crested ibises will be officially received once the preparation work at the Beijing Zoo is completed.