Численность и распределение дальневосточного аиста Ciconia boyciana Swinhoe, 1873 на территории Хабаровского края

Using total counts in simultaneous annual surveys, we monitored the population size and spatial distribution of oriental white storks (Ciconia boyciana) wintering in Poyang Lake between 1998 and 2011. Results showed that Poyang Lake wetland is an important wintering ground for oriental white storks, with an annual average population number of 2 305±326. The population sizes in 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2011 were higher than the highest-ever estimate of its global population. In 2005, we recorded 3 789 individuals, which was the maximum population number within the period of 1998–2011. The storks inhabited 52 lakes, with the greatest distance between these lakes being 180.3 km. The storks presented a clustered distribution pattern in the Poyang Lake wetland, irrespective of the number of individuals or occurrence frequencies. Shahu, Dahuchi, Banghu, and Hanchihu were most frequently used lakes and had the largest annual average numbers of storks. There was a significant positive correlation between occurrence frequency and annual average number of storks in the lakes. Most of the lakes important for storks were covered by existing nature reserves, though some lakes outside the reserves were also frequently used. About 64.9%±5.5% of the storks were found in nature reserves. In addition, the storks more frequently used and clumped in significantly larger flocks in lakes within nature reserves than lakes outside.

Spatio-temporal analysis of habitat suitability for the endangered oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana) in the wetland ecosystem of northeast China

The key objective of this research is to reveal the change of the Oriental white stork's habitat due to local agriculture activities in the study area at landscape scale with the aid of Geographic Information System techniques. Furthermore, an analysis of breeding captivity is done for a better understanding of the relationship between the decrease in Oriental White Stork population and habitat loss and fragmentation in the study area. Result shows that: (1). In all, about 58% of potential breeding habitat and 90% of potential feeding habitat were respectively lost due chiefly to Agriculture reclamation over 1975–2006. (2). The degree of habitat fragmentation became higher, and habitat patches were isolated, smaller and closer to farmland patches over 1975–2006. Behavioral fragmentation due to agriculture reclamation is the major cause of potential habitat fragmentation. (3). The loss and fragmentation of potential habitat lead to the decrease in suitable habitat for the Oriental White Stork. Compared with 1975, suitable breeding habitat was lost 74% in 1989 and 89% in 2006 respectively. Accordingly the number of the Oriental White Stork which can be kept by suitable habitat declined. The decrease in Oriental White Stork population has a close relation with Habitat loss and fragmentation.

东方白鹳在山东省适宜栖息地的分布预测

In the Tajima region of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, an initiative is currently underway to reconnect people and nature, which centers on the oriental white stork, a bird traditionaly revered in Japanese communities with close cultural, as well as psychological ties with human life. This project seeks to reintroduce oriental white storks into the wild. In this chapter, the author draws on his experiences in helping reintroduce oriental white storks into the wild as a researcher at Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork. The chapter attempts to analyze the processes by which multifaceted initiatives developed in a relaxed cooperation between a diverse range of actors through the sharing of the “story” of coexistence with the oriental white stork. The fact that the story of the reintroduction of the oriental white stork is ambiguous enables different values to coexist that are at first glance contradictory, thereby increasing the potential for diverse initiatives, which are not bound to the same single value to occur on a simultaneous and frequent basis. However, the fact that the story is a simplification of reality has led to various kinds of discordance. The author believes that multiple values can be acknowledged by connecting the story of the oriental white stork to local life, a process by which it is given greater relevance to local communities.

A semiannual immunization with a commercial inactivated H9 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccine developed for poultry has been used to prevent and control the avian influenza (AI) infections among captured wild birds in Shanghai Zoo. However, the overall safety and effectiveness of the poultry vaccine for housed birds in the zoo remain unclear. To verify the safety and efficacy of the commercial inactivated H9 AI vaccine on zoo birds and to explore a more reasonable and effective immunization procedure, 48 zoo birds, including 11 Oriental white storks, 25 peafowl, and 12 silver pheasants, were administered the AI vaccine developed for poultry use. Then, the clinical signs of the immunized birds were observed for 2 weeks, and the antibodies against H9 AI were determined via the hemagglutination inhibition test. Results showed that no harmful effects related to the vaccination were observed, and the antibody titers of the Oriental white stork, peafowl, and silver pheasants were all higher than 7 log 2 at 21 days, 30 days, 60 days, 120 days, and 180 days postimmunization. For further study, the H9 AIV titers of 11 peafowls and 6 Oriental storks, which were raised in the nursing ground, were continuously monitored for 15 months. All of their antibody titers were above the national standards of China (5 log 2; GB/T18936-2003), even at 12 months and 15 months postimmunization. We concluded that the commercial inactivated H9 AI vaccine used at the present time in Shanghai Zoo can induce high and prolonged immune responses in vaccinated birds.

Nematodes of the genus Thelazia were recovered from the cornea and inferior conjunctival sac of an immature Oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana). The bird hatched and reared at the Toyooka Oriental White Stork Breeding Center, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, but died of chlamydiosis. There were neither gross nor histopathologic ophthalmic lesions. The eye worm from a bird is believed to be first reported in Japan. As regarding reintroduction plan for the Oriental white stork, control measures for prevent further infection with the eye worm will be needed.

An entire-process MaxEnt framework for habitat suitability modeling on Google Earth Engine: A case study of the oriental white stork in eastern mainland China.

The Oriental White Stork ( Ciconia boyciana ) is one of the species threatened by mainly anthropogenic factor and their habitats are considered to be conserved. The first reintroduction of the species in Japan occurred in 2005. But as the species' natural wetland habitats are declining, the birds now prefer to forage in rice paddies. Thus, restoring the paddy‐dominated landscape is key for further success in the reintroduction program. In addition, a quantitative method is urgently needed to assess how much suitable habitat is available and where it is located. In this study, we identified environmental factors that affect the distribution of the Oriental White Stork and produced the first predictive spatial distribution map using 2‐year satellite tracking data of reintroduced individuals. The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach was used to model the species' distribution at the landscape scale (1 km × 1 km grid cells). We identified six relevant environmental variables. Our results highlight the proportion of area of rice paddies as alternative wetland habitat as the most influential variable affecting the distribution positively. Landscape diversity represented by a complex mosaic of paddies and forest is also important for the species, as total length of paddy–forest edge also had a positive effect on habitat suitability. Our predictive distribution map cannot entirely provide distribution; however, it may be valuable information when considering where should be conserved as habitat to maintain the Oriental White Stork population in Japan.

The Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana) and the Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) are wetland species listed as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The two species were once common on the Korean peninsula, but have experienced a severe population reduction in the past decades. Currently, they are officially extinct in Korea. At present, reintroduction programs to release the birds to the wild are in progress in Korea as well as in Japan. In this study, we surveyed the historic breeding sites of the two species using the literature and face-to-face interviews with local people as a step toward determining appropriate breeding habitats for reintroduction. We found 26 historic breeding sites for the Oriental White Stork in Chungcheong-do and Gyeonggi-do, but did not find any breeding sites for the Crested Ibis. These findings suggest that the Oriental White Stork was resident, while the Crested Ibis was a winter visitor to Korea. Based on these results, we discuss the possibilities for successful reintroduction of the two species in Korea.

A novel approach to determining umbrella species using quantitative food web: A case study from fresh-water lake

We intended to describe a case of chaunocephalosis and morphological characteristics of its causative agent, Chaunocephalus ferox, recovered from an oriental white stork, Ciconia boyciana, in the Republic of Korea. An oriental white stork was referred to the Wildlife Center of Chungbuk in Korea in February 2014 for severe depression with cachexia and it died the next day. At necropsy, the stomach was severely expanded and 7 thick-walled nodules were observed in the upper part of the intestine. Although the stomach was filled with full of foreign materials, the intestine was almost empty. The nodules were globular and total 9 flukes were recovered. They were 8,030–8,091 μm in length and 3,318–3,333 μm in maximum width. Because the flukes had bulbous forebody with short narrow subcylindrical hindbody, 27 collar spines, and vitelline follicles not reaching to the posterior end, the specimens were identified as being C. ferox. The cyst formation induced thickening of the intestinal wall with narrowing of the lumen that could have contributed to the gastric impaction to the death of the host. This is the first described case of chaunocephalosis and its causative agent C. ferox found from an oriental white stork in Korea.

We collected 51 feather samples from the breasts, tails and wings of\nOriental White Storks（Ciconia boyciana）and Siberian White\nCranes（Grus leucogeranus）at Hefei Wild Animal Park in\nMay, 2007. Environment-Determination of methylmercury-Gas\nchromatography was used to determine the residues of op’-DDT,\npp’-DDD, pp’-DDE, pp’-DDT, α-BHC, β- BHC,\nγ- BHC, δ- BHC and Hexachlorobenzene. The results showed that\npp’-DDD, pp’-DDE, pp’-DDT, β-BHC, δ-BHC\nwere detected in feathers of both Oriental White Storks and Siberian\nWhite Cranes, in which pp’-DDD had the greatest proportion, and\nreached 0.8936, 0.8353 and 0.7516 μg/g (dry weight) respectively\nin the breast contour feathers, pluma and tail feathers of Oriental\nWhite Storks. The residues were 0.5685, 0.5077 and 0.4657 μg/g\n(dry weight) in the feathers of Siberian White Cranes. There was not a\nsignificant difference in the residues of pp’-DDD and\npp’-DDT in the breast contour feathers, pluma and tail feathers\nbetween both birds, but residues of pp’-DDD in the breast contour\nfeathers and tail feathers of the Oriental White Stork was\nsignificantly higher than that of the Siberian White Crane.

For species where males and females are monomorphic, or nearly so, determining the sex of individual birds generally requires either capturing birds or collecting samples, such as feathers, for DNA analysis. We developed a new method, involving the use of photographs, to determine the sex of endangered Oriental White Storks (Ciconia boyciana). Using photographs, we analyzed the lateral features of the heads of 25 captive storks of known sex (12 males and 13 females) and found differences between males and females in the distance from the bill tip to the nape and the distance from the bill tip to the commissural point. These differences were used to generate a discriminant function that was then tested on 22 captive storks at Hyogo Homeland Park (Toyooka, Japan), and we correctly determined the sex of 18 individuals (82%). In addition, the sex of two wild storks was correctly assigned. Our results suggest that good-quality photographs can be useful for determining the sex of both captive and wild Oriental White Storks and, further, that similar methods may prove useful for determining sex in other species of birds. SINOPSIS Para especies monomorficas, o muy parecidas, el determinar el sexo de individuos por lo general requiere capturar las aves o coleccionar muestras, tales como plumas, para hacer analisis de ADN. Desarrollamos un metodo que envuelve el uso de fotografias, para determinar el sexo en individuos de Ciconia boyciana, la cual es una especie en peligro de extincion. Mediante el uso de fotografias, pudimos analizar las particularidades de la parte lateral de la cabeza de 25 individuos cautivos de sexo conocido (12 machos y 13 hembras). Encontramos diferencias sexuales entre la distancia desde la punta del pico a la nuca, y desde la punta del pico al punto de la comisura mandibular. Estas diferencias fueron utilizadas para generar una funcion discriminativa que fue puesta a pruebas en 22 individuos cautivos que se encontraban en Hyogo Homeland Park (Toyooka, Japon) y que permitio determinar el sexo correctamente de 18 individuos (82% de estos). Ademas pudimos determinar correctamente el sexo de dos individuos silvestres. Nuestros resultados sugieren que con buenas fotografias se puede identificar el sexo, tanto de individuos silvestres como cautivos, de Ciconia boyciana y que metodos similares pudieran ser utiles para determinar el sexo de otras especies de aves.

Total chlorine, total phosphorus and total mercury contents in the five Japanese storks, Ciconia ciconia boyciana SWINHOE, which died between 1965 and 1966 at Obama (Fukui Pref.) and Toyooka (Hyogo Pref.) were determined by VOLHARD'S method, vanadomolybdate method and dithizone (column) chromatographic method, respectively. Total mercury contents in the 'dojo' fish, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus CANTOR, the catfish, Parasilurus asotus L. and the crucians, Carassius carassius L. which had been given to the birds as diets during rearing at Toyooka were also determined. The results were obtained that significant amounts of mercury were found in these birds, especially : the maximum values being 98.6 ppm in kidney, 61.5 ppm in liver and 21.5 ppm in feather, while 2.1 ppm in liver and 1.4 ppm in feather in the control little egret (normal adult), Egretta garzetta garzetta L. Small amounts of mercury (below 0.3 ppm) were also found in their diets. The chlorine and phosphorus contents in their organs were not considered to be so significant as to cause their death. However, thinking the mercury amounts accumulated in each bird, whatever direct cause of their death might be, it was highly possible that they died of chronic poisoning by mercury in diets taken for a long period.