199 mongooses captured

Okinawa Prefecture Wildlife Preservation officials announced that since the beginning of the year they had captured 199 mongooses by the end of June.

The Ministry of Environment and Okinawa Prefecture have been conducting an ongoing mongoose control campaign in Okinawa’s northern area to protect the critically endangered Yambaru Kuina by capturing mongoose that poses a grave threat to the near-extinct bird. Every year the number of Yamaru Kuina counted in the forests of the northern Okinawa has been dropping, and the range it lives has become smaller.

Officials say, “Because of the campaign, the area mongooses inhabit in the north is shrinking, so we think we have hope for the Yambaru Kuina.”

16:23 19 Mar , 2024