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Summary: photo KYON KYON

　This is a crowdfunding that will support the local organization for relocating, Repairing of Relief and Rehabilitation Facility of Yanbaru Kuina (Okinawa rail) and other native endangered species in Yanbaru Region (Northern part of Okinawa Island), Japan.

Period: July 30th, 2021. 9:17am ~ September 30th, 2021
Amount Goal: 10,000,000 Yen ( about $100,000)


　The Yanbaru Kuina (Common name: Okinawa rail) is only native to the Yanbaru Region which has been registered as a “World Natural Heritage Site” in July 26th 2021.

　It is also recognized as a symbol of the Yanbaru Region. It is the only flightless bird in Japan. Furthermore, it lives in only some parts of Yanbaru region, Kunigami, Ogimi, and Higashi Village.

　Yanbaru Kuina was first found in 1981, with an estimated population of 1800 at that time. The inability to fly makes them very unique, however, it has also been the cause of their declining population by car accidents (Road Kill) and also excessive predation by Mongoose, invasive species, which was brought for population control of Habu (Native Okinawan Snake) and stray cats & dogs, causing the population to drop to 700 in 2005.

　After nearly becoming extinct, due to the conservation efforts by local organizations and governments in past 20 years, the Okinawa Rail has made an amazing recovery.

　Registering Yanbaru region as World Natural Heritage Site will protect the area from excessive development and will bring more attention to the very rich biodiversity of Yanbaru Forest, however, it could increase the number of Road kills of Native species including Yanbaru Kuina with the increase of traffic.

　For example, there has been a total of 22 Okinawa Rail’s killed in car accidents in 2020, and 24 killed due to car accidents by July 2021.
　
　Rehabilitation usually takes a long period of time to fully heal and in some cases, they may spend the rest of their lives in the care of the rehabilitation centers.

　With the growing number of injuries/deaths due to car accidents, the expansion of these rehabilitation centers is imperative as these centers are near full capacity.

　So far multiple facilities have been established since 2005 to protect the population of Okinawa rail, “Yanbaru Kuina Emergency and Critical Care Center & Rehabilitation Cage” by Ada Ward, Yanbaru Kuina Conservation Shelter (protected area) by Kunigami-village, and “Okinawa Rail Breeding Facility” by the Ministry of Environment Japan.

　These facilities have been contributing to sustain the population of Okinawa Rail. Over the past 15 years the relief and rehabilitation facility has begun deteriorating and is in urgent need of repairs and relocation in order to begin expansion.


　Due to the Covid pandemic and multiple lock down, getting a financial support from Okinawa / Local government was difficult. However, it’s also very challenging for the local organizations to budget for this project despite having over all support.

　After multiple meetings with related organizations, we finally decided to ask some help through Crowdfunding to begin development on a Relief and rehabilitation facility expansion !