Hello, everyone! Let me introduce you to the “Japanese Crane,” deeply connected to Japan’s nature!
Among Japan’s wild birds, the Japanese Crane is one of the largest, only breeding in Hokkaido. It has a body length of about 140cm and a wingspan of approximately 240cm, presenting a truly magnificent sight! Its body is almost entirely white, with a black neck and some black feathers, and a distinctive red crown. The Japanese Crane feeds on everything from fish to the seeds of herbaceous plants.
The breeding season of the Japanese Crane is like a little drama. Particularly touching is the “courtship dance” of the cranes, resembling a dance of a loving couple. They form strong bonds, and once paired, they stay together for life. They lay eggs in nests built in wetlands, and both parents incubate them. The chicks grow up wandering the wetlands with their parents.
Once on the brink of extinction, thanks to conservation efforts, there are now over 1,500 cranes. However, challenges remain for the survival of the Japanese Crane. Overprotection has made it difficult for them to survive in the wild. The coexistence of humans and wildlife remains a significant challenge.
The Japanese Crane, long cherished in Japanese culture and known for the saying “Cranes live for a thousand years,” is an irreplaceable treasure of nature. From the gracefully dancing cranes on the lands of Hokkaido, we have much to learn.
