| We studied the characteristics of rescue andmortality cases of the oriental stork Ciconia boyciana,focusing on agricultural lands, its primary habitat. We alsoexamined the oesophageal and stomach contents of two deadstorks for research purposes. There were 53 cases in theTajima region and Kyotango city, and a signifcant positivecorrelation was detected between the number of cases andnumber of nests in each year. Most cases had occurred inpaddy felds, and their peak was observed in June and July.There was a sharp decline in the number of cases afterAugust. Therefore, we suggested that storks fying into paddyfelds during periods of high feeding rates can be rescued ordead. In other areas, the cases had occured in lotus paddyfelds and irrigation ponds. We observed aquatic insects suchas the water scavenger beetle Hydrophilus acuminatus andthe ferocious water bug Appasus japonicus in two storks,and the status of feeding on aquatic insects was clarified.We consider that the number of rescue cases in agriculturalareas would increase in the future. Therefore, we suggestsecuring habitats for aquatic animals by natural restorationand making appropriate arrangements considering the safetyfor storks. |
