Nipponia nippon: The Japanese Crested Ibis

Pp. 301, (2); 400+ fine color photos (some are double page) of the crested Ibis and its habitat, 24 color distribution maps of Ibis species across the world (each map is accompanied by a fine color drawing of the species range listed in the map), 2 color anatomical drawings of the crested Ibis, color maps of the species’ range in Japan, 10 color paintings of the crested Ibis from historical sources over the past 200 years. Color pictorial laminated boards (hardbound) with matching color pictorial dust jacket, 4to. At one time, the crested Ibis was widespread in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Russia. It has now disappeared from most of its former range. The last wild crested ibis in Japan died in October 2003, with the remaining wild population found only in Shaanxi province of China until reintroduction of captive bred birds back into Japan in 2008. They were previously thought to be extinct in China as well until 1981 when only seven ibises were seen in Shaanxi, China. Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size, limited range, winter starvation, and persecution in last century brought this endangered species to the brink of extinction. The crested ibis has been listed in Appendix I of the conservation treaty CITES (from Wiki). This volume, published in 1983, documents the Japanese efforts to save the crested Ibis from extinction. It also documents a captive breeding program in Japan in the 1970s. There are historical photos of the crested Ibis in Japan. This fine monograph is full of superb color photos and range maps. The text is in Japanese. No ownership marks and no signs of use.