Article ID: 2034
Birdwatching tourism is presumed to contribute to conservation programs for endangered species by providing tourists with opportunities to learn about conservation activities and by improving economic incentives. However, it is important to evaluate and manage the negative impacts of tourism on the target species. The crested ibis Nipponia nippon became extinct in the wild in 1980s, although efforts towards its reintroduction to Japan are ongoing. In this study, I assessed the flight-initiation distances, vigilance, and fecundity of wild crested ibises, and evaluated the economic ripple effects of tourism on the regional economy and ibis conservation programs based on literature published before extinction. When foraging crested ibises were approaching by cars, the maximum flight-initiation distance was 145 m; the average distance decreased from 106.9 m in 2015 to 62.5 m in 2019. Crested ibis vigilance behaviour increased with vehicle approach, but was reduced when the flock size was large. For solitary birds, vigilance increased at a distance of 184 m, but when ibises were in a flock of five, vigilance increased at a distance of 128 m. Based on literature published before extinction, ibis fecundity significantly increased with restricted access to nest sites in forests. An estimated 52,902 tourists visited Sado Island annually to see crested ibises. From an economic input-output table, the economic contribution of the ibis through tourism was estimated to be 4.45 billion yen. The ripple effects on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, which play important roles in preserving crested ibis habitat, were approximately 34 million yen; tourists donated approximately 16 million yen to Toki Forest Park. Based on these results, I make recommendations regarding ibis tourism. First, flocks of crested ibis in paddy fields should be observed from a minimum distance of 150 m and solitary birds should not be approached. Second, tourists should be prohibited from observing nesting ibises. Finally, a system should be developed to share the profits from ibis tourism with those engaged in agricultural, forestry, fishery, and conservation activities. The information presented here will help to promoting sustainable conservation activities for the crested ibis.
