🗺️ Hyogo Prefectural Eastern White Stork Village Park兵庫県立コウノトリの郷公園

The Oriental Stork is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. It is said to have gone extinct in the wild in 1970, with the last individual spotted in the Tajima region. Later, individuals were introduced from Russia and China, and after being bred in captivity, the population of storks in Japan gradually increased. Additionally, in recent years, efforts for rewilding have continued, and now over 250 Oriental Storks have returned to their natural wild habitat. The Hyogo Prefectural Oriental Stork Sanctuary Park is a comprehensive facility built in 1999 with the purpose of protecting, breeding, and reintroducing the Oriental Stork into the wild. Visitors in the open area can observe the Oriental Storks and take leisurely walks along the paths to see the storks being raised in the park up close. Occasionally, storks that have returned to the wild may also visit, and if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of them. At the attached Toyooka City Oriental Stork Cultural Center, visitors can learn about the ecology of the Oriental Stork and the history of efforts to return them to nature. Various events are held periodically to deepen the understanding of the natural environment in which the Oriental Stork can thrive, emphasizing the coexistence of humans and nature.

The Oriental Stork, which was once extinct, is designated as a special natural monument of the country. Thanks to efforts in protection and breeding, the number of Oriental Storks has gradually increased. Visitors can observe the Oriental Storks raised in the park up close. Occasionally, Oriental Storks that have returned to the wild can be seen flying nearby. One can understand the natural environment in which the Oriental Stork can survive and thrive.