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The Japanese crested ibis, "Toki," was pronounced extinct with the death of "Kin" in 2003. Thereafter, Japan received a pair of Toki as a gift from China, and as the pair and their offsprings have been well protected, there are now 122 in Japan.

All Toki has been bred and trained at the "Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Conservation Center" (in Sado city, Niigata prefecture) and the "Tama Zoological Park" (Hino city, Tokyo), with hopes of releasing them back into the wild. And finally, on September 25th, this dream will come true.

It was 27 years ago when all Toki in Japan were captured for their protection. And this will be the first time in Japan that Toki will be released back into the wild. Approximately 10 Toki in training selected during the preparation period will be set free in September, but people who have taken care of the Toki over the years have mixed feelings of hope and anxiety. How to capture the Toki for release without harming them? Will they be able to find food in wild? How should we keep an eye on them? They say that they will consult the Ministry of the Environment to make such decisions.

The Toki will be set free into a rice field nearby the Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Conservation Center. Freeing the Toki has been a long-cherished wish for the people involved in its protection and the research, so their joy is insurmountable . We earnestly hope that Toki will soar high into the sky and enjoy nature to their hearts' content.

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