thephotosocietyのインスタグラム(thephotosociety) - 2月7日 21時55分

Photo by @jasperdoest while #onassignment in #Japan for @natgeoexpeditions // Japanese cranes in Hokkaido, Japan.

The Japanese crane (Grus japonensis), also known as the red-crowned crane, is sacred and seen as a symbol of fidelity, good luck, love and long life in the Orient. It is also the second rarest crane species in the world.
There are currently two main populations of Japanese crane; one is resident to the Island of Hokkaido in northern Japan and does not migrate. The second population breeds in north-eastern China, Russia and Mongolia and migrates to eastern China, and North andSouth Korea where it spends the winter. Recent estimates of the total population of these birds stand at around 2,200 individuals.
These beautiful birds were almost hunted to extinction in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century for their stunning plumage. Habitat losses due to agriculture and development have been further causes of the decline in the Japanese crane.
A number of international agreements have been made to protect crane species and their habitats, and it is illegal to hunt Japanese cranes in all countries in which they occur. Protected areas have been established to safeguard the species; furthermore, conservation and educational programmes have been developed with the involvement of local communities, and a number of reintroduction attempts have been made.

Follow me @jasperdoest for more images of my recent winter adventures in Japan.

@thephotosociety @ナショナルジオグラフィック #natgeoexpeditions #丹頂鶴 #日本 #Japan #crane #birds #endangered #winter #hokkaido

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