Monitoring & Ecological Surveys

We assess the ecology, distribution, and damage caused by rare, native, and invasive species to support conservation and management efforts.

○ Wildlife population surveys (line transect surveys, automatic camera traps, drones, capture surveys, environmental DNA analysis, etc.)
○ Wildlife ecological surveys (GPS collar tracking, gutter analysis, etc.)
○ Environmental surveys and vegetation surveys of walking trails and hiking paths
○ Mapping and land use analysis using GIS (geographic information system)

Okinawa Woodpecker (Sapheopipo noguchii)

Kuroiwa's Ground Gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae)

Invasive Species Control

We prevent the invasion, establishment, and spread of invasive species to protect native ecosystems. In areas of high conservation importance, we conduct eradication efforts.

○ Management of invasive mammals and peafowl
○ Management of invasive reptiles and amphibians
○ Utilizing detection dogs for the monitoring and capture of target species
○ Mapping capture data to determine species population distribution and density based on accumulated data
○ Development of effective capture and monitoring techniques
○ Planning and conducting capture events with members of the public, etc.

Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus)

Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata evelynae)

Wildlife Damage Management

We mitigate conflicts between people and wildlife (agricultural impacts, and lifestyle impacts) to support sustainable lifestyle in their respective region.

○ Population control of wild boars, deer, etc. (using firearms, box traps, snare traps, etc.)
○ Brown bear deterrence escort service in east Hokkaido
○ Assessment of wildlife damage and proposal of countermeasures
○ Support for installing prevention materials like electric fences and barriers
○ Collaboration with local trappers and implementation of technical training
○ Support for medium- to long-term wildlife management plans in cooperation with local governments and communities

Skills & Technology Development

We’re pushing to develop new technologies to effectively manage invasive species and wildlife damage.

○ Training detection dogs (for mongooses, weasels, snakes, fireflies, etc.)
○ Developing new traps and capture methods
○ Exchanging knowledge with leading overseas regions (New Zealand, Guam, Taiwan, etc.)
○ Presentations at relevant academic conferences

Field Study of Effective Control Techniques in New Zealand

Invasive Snake Detection Survey at Material Delivery Sites

Field visit in Taiwan to Prevent from Transporting Live Organism

Presentation at The Japan-Taiwan Joint Conference on Herpetology 2025

Education & Outreach

We help promote accurate understanding of invasive species and wildlife to foster conservation awareness in the next generation.

○ Planning and implementation of outreach classes and workshops for children and the general public
○ Planning and implementation of training sessions for local governments
○ Planning and operation of invasive species control experience events
○ Public outreach through social media and other channels

Invasive Species Control Workshop for OIST Graduate Students

Equipment Sales

We supply various items needed in the field.

○ Pig Brig | Wire mesh wild boar enclosure trap
○ Trap transmitter
○ Automatic camera trap
○ Electric fence materials
○ Bear repellent spray, etc.

Multiple Indivisuals Captured by Pig Brig

Business Activities

2025

Mongoose Control Project
Maintenance and Management of the Mongoose-proof Fence
Invasive Species Control Project (Information Collection and Outreach, and Invasive Species Monitoring Survey)
Invasive Species Control Project (Mammals) – Japanese Weasel and Feral Goat
Invasive Species Control Project (Amphibians and Reptiles) – Green Anole, Taiwan Beauty Snake, Taiwan Habu, Cane Toad and Snapping Turtle
Invasive Species Management (Insects & Arachnids) – Yaeyama Window Firefly Detection Dog
Designated Wildlife Capture Project – Wild Boar
Wild Boar Capturing/Monitoring Services at Taiyo Golf Club
Effective Capture Promotion Project in the Obira Region (Yezo Deer Designated Wildlife Capture Project)
Raccoon Capture Program in the Tokachi Region
Advisory Support for Miyakojima City Yellow-margined Box Turtle Management Committee
Habu Snakebite Prevention Program, etc.

2024

Mongoose Control Project
Maintenance and Management of the Mongoose-proof Fence
Invasive Species Control Project (Information Collection and Outreach, and Invasive Monitoring Survey)
Invasive Species Control Project (Mammals) – Japanese Weasel and Feral Goat
Invasive Species Control Project (Amphibians and Reptiles) – Green Anole, Taiwan Beauty Snake, Taiwan Habu, Cane Toad and Snapping Turtle
Designated Wildlife Capture Project – Wild Boar, etc.

2023

Mongoose Control Project
Maintenance and Management of the Mongoose-proof Fence
Invasive Species Control Project (Information Collection and Outreach, and Invasive Monitoring Survey)
Invasive Species Control Project (Mammals) – Japanese Weasel and Feral Goat
Invasive Species Control Project (Amphibians and Reptiles) – Green Anole, Taiwan Beauty Snake, Taiwan Habu, Cane Toad and Snapping Turtle
Designated Wildlife Capture Project – Wild Boar
Wild Boar Capturing/Monitoring Services at Taiyo Golf Club, etc.

2022

Mongoose Control Project
Maintenance and Management of the Mongoose-proof Fence
Invasive Species Control Project (Information Collection and Outreach, and Invasive Monitoring Survey)
Invasive Species Control Project (Mammals) – Japanese Weasel and Feral Goat
Invasive Species Control Project (Amphibians and Reptiles) – Green Anole, Taiwan Beauty Snake, Taiwan Habu, Cane Toad and Snapping Turtle
Improvement Works of the Invasive Snake-proof Fence
Designated Wildlife Capture Project – Wild Boar
Camera Trap Population Survey of Iriomote Cat
Establishment of a Feral Goat Monitoring System in the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park
Invasive Frog Spread Prevention Study in the Yaeyama Region, etc.

2021

Mongoose Control Project
Maintenance and Management of the Mongoose-proof Fence
Invasive Species Control Project (Information Collection and Outreach, and Invasive Monitoring Survey)
Invasive Species Control Project (Mammals) – Japanese Weasel and Feral Goat
Invasive Species Control Project (Amphibians and Reptiles) – Green Anole, Taiwan Beauty Snake, Taiwan Habu, Cane Toad and Snapping Turtle
Designated Wildlife Capture Project – Wild Boar
Development of a Survey Plan for Estimating the Population of Iriomote Cat
Guideline Development for Road-Entering Individuals of Iriomote Cat
Establishment of a Feral Goat Monitoring System in Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park

2020

Mongoose Control Project
Maintenance and Management of the Mongoose-proof Fence
Invasive Species Control Project (Information Collection and Outreach, and Invasive Monitoring Survey)
Invasive Species Control Project (Mammals) – Japanese Weasel and Feral Goat
Invasive Species Control Project (Amphibians and Reptiles) – Green Anole, Taiwan Beauty Snake, Taiwan Habu, Cane Toad and Snapping Turtle
Designated Wildlife Capture Project – Wild Boar
Study on Mobile Temporary Fencing for Preventing Iriomote Cat Roadkill
Population Survey of Iriomote Cat in the Iriomote Island
Scat and Stomach Content Analysis of Wild Boar
Population Survey of Sika Deer in Nagasaki Prefecture

2019

Mongoose Control Project
Maintenance and Management of the Mongoose-proof Fence
Designated Wildlife Capture Project – Wild Boar
Population Survey of Iriomote Cat in the Iriomote Island
Study on Mobile Temporary Fencing for Preventing Iriomote Cat Roadkill
Invasive Species Control Project (Information Collection and Outreach)
Invasive Species Control Project – Green Anole and Japanese Weasel
Survey of Native Rare Species and Invasive Predators, and Conservation Awareness in the Miyako Iland and Surrounding Islands (Joint Research with WWF and University of the Ryukyus

2018

Mongoose Control Project
Maintenance and Management of the Mongoose-proof Fence
Invasive Species Control Project (Invasive Species Monitoring Survey)
Invasive Species Control Project – Green Anole and Japanese Weasel
Survey of Native Rare Species and Invasive Predators, and Conservation Awareness in the Miyako Iland and Surrounding Islands (Joint Research with WWF and University of the Ryukyus

2017

Mongoose Control Project
Maintenance and Management of the Mongoose-proof Fence
Invasive Species Control Project (Invasive Species Monitoring Survey)
Invasive Species Control Project – Green Anole and Japanese Weasel

Research Achievements

2022: Amagai Yukihiro, Oguma Hiroyuki, Ishihama Fumiko (2022) Predicted scarcity of suitable habitat for alpine plant communities in northern Japan under climate change. Applied Vegetation Science, Vol. 25, Issue 4, e12694.

2022: Shimozuru Michito, Jimbo Mina, Adachi Keisuke, Kawamura Kei, Shirane Yuri, Umemura Yoshihiro, Ishinazaka Tsuyoshi, Nakanishi Masanao, Kiyonari Mayu, Yamanaka Masami, Amagai Yukihiro, Ijuin Ayaho, Sakiyama Tomoki, Kasai Shinsuke, Nose Takane, Shirayanagi Masataka, Tsuruga Hifumi, Mano Tsutomu, Uno Hiroyuki (2022) Estimation of breeding population size using DNA-based pedigree reconstruction in brown bears. Ecology and Evolution, Vol. 12, Issue 9, e9246.

2022: Mameno Kota, Kubo Takahiro, Oguma Hiroyuki, Amagai Yukihiro, Shoji Yasushi (2022)　Decline in the alpine landscape aesthetic value in a national park under climate change. Climatic Change, Vol. 170, Issue 3, 1-18.

2021: Takenaka Akio, Oguma Hiroyuki, Amagai Yukihiro, Ishihama Fumiko (2021) SecSel, a new software tool for conservation prioritization that is applicable to ordinal-scale data for multiple biodiversity features. Plos one, Vol. 16, Issue 7, e0247737.

2019: Amagai Yukihiro, Kudo Gaku (2019) Responses of photosynthetic activity and shoot growth of alpine dwarf-pine to weather and snowmelt conditions. Alpine botany, Vol. 129, Issue 1, pp43-52.

2018: Kawauchi, N., Nakamura, Y., & Watanabe, K. (2018). Predation of the endangered Miyako grass lizard Takydromus toyamai by the introduced Japanese weasel Mustela itatsi. Mammalian Science, 58(1), 73-77.

2018

2018

2018

2018: Amagai Yukihiro, Kudo Gaku, Sato Ken (2018) Changes in alpine plant communities　under climate change: Dynamics of snow-meadow vegetation in northern Japan over the last 40 years. Applied Vegetation Science Vol. 21, Issue 4, pp561-571.

2017: Kawauchi, N., Watanabe, K., & Maenosono, Y. (2017). The first record of the Miyako toad, bufo gargarizans miyakonis, from Kurima Island of the Miyako Group. Akamata 27:41-43.

2017: Kawauchi, Norihiro; Watanabe, Tamaki; and Shinzato, Kazuno (2017). First record of the Miyako toad from Kume Island, Miyako Islands. Akamata 27:44-46.

2017: Kudo Gaku, Kawai Yuka, Amagai Yukihiro, Winkler Daniel E (2017) Degradation and recovery of an alpine plant community: experimental removal of an encroaching dwarf bamboo. Alpine Botany, Vol. 127, Issue 1, pp 75-83.

2016: Winkler Daniel E., Amagai Yukihiro, Huxman Travis E.,Kaneko Masami, Kudo Gaku　(2016) Seasonal dry-down rates and high stress tolerance promote bamboo invasion above and below treeline. Plant Ecology, Vol. 217, No. 10, pp1219-1234.

2015: Amagai Yukihiro, Kaneko Masami, Kudo Gaku (2015) Habitat-specific responses of shoot growth and distribution of alpine dwarf-pine (Pinus pumila) to climate variation. Ecological Research, Vol. 30, No. 6, pp 969–977

2014

2012: Murata C., Yamada F., Kawauchi N., Matsuda Y., Kuroiwa A.（2012） The Y chromosome of the Okinawa spiny rat, Tokudaia muenninki, was rescued through fusion with an autosome. Chromosome Res. 2012 Jan; 20(1): 111-125.

2011: Takeshi Honda and Norihiro Kawauchi (2011) Methods for constructing a wild boar relative-density map to resolve human-wild boar conflicts. Mammal study 36(2): 79-85.

2010: Kawauchi, N., Komatsu, T., Iwasaki, M., & Nakata, K. (2010). Historical distribution trends of the critically endangered Okinawa spiny rat Tokudaia muenninki
on the Ryukyu Islands. Pro Natura Foundation 19th Grant Results Report, pp. 13-18.

2010: Yamada,F., Kawauchi, N., Nakata, K., Abe, S., Kotaka., N and Takashima, A. (2010) Rediscovery After Thirty Years Since the Last Capture of the Critically Endangered Okinawa Spiny Rat Tokudaia muenninki in the Northern Part of Okinawa Island. Mammal study 35(4): 243-255.

2008: Yoshikazu Seki, Satoshi Rokuhara, and Norihiro Kawauchi (2008). Range expansion of feral raccoons from the northwestern part of Kanagawa prefecture to Yamanashi prefecture, Japan. Wildlife Conservation Japan, 11(2): 59-64.

2006: Mayu Tabata, Norihiro Kawauchi, and Koichi Murata (2006). Mayuh Tabata, Norihiro Kawauchi and Koichi Murata: The Present Status of the Invasive Raccoon, Procyon lotor, in the Western Area of Kanagawa Prefecture in 2004. Kanagawa Prefectural Natural History Materials 27:21-26.

2003: Kawauchi, N., Yamamoto, Y., & Imai, K. (2003). Annual variation in testis size, plasma testosterone concentration, and behavior in wild male Japanese martens. Mammalian Science, 43:93-98.

2002: Kawauchi, Norihiro (2002). New records of the white-cheeked frog from Iheya Island and Iejima Island. Akamata 16:6.

2002: Sasaki, K. (2002). Distribution and feeding habits of introduced carnivores (Javan mongoose, feral cat, feral dog) in the northern forest region of Okinawa Island. The Biological magazine, Okinawa 40:41-50.