The endangered wild short-tailed albatross population on Minamikojima island in the Senkaku Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, has more than doubled over the past 18 years, according to the Environment Ministry.
It is suggested that their population increase is likely because of human access to the islands being restricted since 2012. An expert said that the albatross population will probably continue to increase.
The ministry analyzed satellite images of Minamikojima island taken in November 2020. It estimates there are about 110 to 140 breeding pairs inhabiting the island. In 2002, Hiroshi Hasegawa, professor emeritus of Toho University, estimated there were about 50 pairs, after visiting the island. Their population seems to now be 2.2 to 2.8 times that of 18 years ago.
The government has not permitted people to step onto the Senkaku Islands since the nationalization of the islands in 2012.
"The number of albatrosses has definitely increased on Minamikojima island," said Hasegawa. "This is likely because the birds are not stressed by humans being nearby, so it's great news. I hope the ministry will continue monitoring the birds, including their range as well."
The breeding sites for albatrosses are limited to islands of Japan. Since the 1890s, the birds were hunted in large numbers for their feathers and their population significantly decreased. They were declared extinct in 1949. In 1951, however, about 10 albatrosses were found living on Torishima island of the Izu Islands, resulting in a project to conserve the species.
As it is difficult to conduct in-person field surveys of uninhabited islands, the ministry has started using satellite imagery to monitor the species.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
