Okinawa Rail – Japan’s Endangered Bird
From the main island of Okinawa in Japan, you will find the flightless endangered birds, Okinawa Rail, which is under threat of being extinct. Their species is under attack from Java mongoose and cats that were allowed to be brought into the island. This is why they are labeled as endangered species. In Japan, they are known as Yambaru Kuina because they come specifically from the Yambaru area which is located in the north side of the island of Okinawa.
Before the cats and mongoose were allowed to migrate to Okinawa island, the Okinawa Rail was living in excellent health and growing in population. The count at that was 1,800 birds. This has dwindled to more than half as of last count a few years ago.
The Okinawa Rail has wings which means it chooses not to fly because its food are lizards and insects. Unfortunately, their being flightless means easy prey for the Java mongoose that can attack and eat them on the spot.
Incredibly, they were only introduced to the world in 1981. Their plight has been pushed aside in favor of more accessible animals. Thus, forests were allowed to be cleared. Being their home, they not only lost their protective shelters, they also became easy target for road accidents.
Not much is known about this animal, and unless something is done to bring the conservation actions to the next level, they will soon be extinct.
This next level refers to more studies done on this endangered animals to find out how they live, eat, care for their babies, travel, and survive. If a habitat can be replicated so they have a guarded area to live in, they might be able to populate and grow as a species.
The Japanese government, through its Ministry of Environment has said it has plans to beef up the breeding of Okinawa Rails. They have even on step further and declared the Okinawa Rails as critically endangered animals. By 2017, they hope to increase the population of the Okinawa Rail birds to 200. they plan to do this through controlled breeding in captivity.
Some of the Okinawa rail birds are being held inside the Nagamine Animal Hospital, but access to these endangered birds are strictly controlled and monitored. They stay in a dark room with very little natural light. Kudos must be given to Japanese authorities for taking this endangered animals seriously, and doing everything they can to study and care for them.
Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.
