Survey/Research

We conduct surveys of wild animals and make proposals related to the preservation of the natural environment.

1. Wildlife monitoring and ecological research

Target taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, etc.

  1. Licensed habitat surveys
  2. Wildlife survey using remote sensor cameras and voice recorders
  3. Capture surveys by trapping
  4. Population Management with firearms (rifles, etc.) (deer, wild boar)
  5. Ecological survey with transmission devices
  6. Analysis of stomach contents
  7. Monitoring with detection dogs
  8. Drone surveys

2. Implementation and planning of countermeasures against invasive species

  1. Wildlife surveys with remote sensor cameras
  2. Capture surveys with trapping (Both live and lethal trapping)
  3. Monitoring and capturing with detection/hunting dogs
  4. Continuous planning of new countermeasures against invasive species.
  5. Continuous development of effective and efficient trapping techniques
  6. Continuous breeding of detection dogs for monitoring

3. Lending photos and videos of nature and wildlife

Materials such as photos and videos of nature and wildlife, mainly from the Ryukyu Islands, are available. The Okinawa rail (Hypotaenidia okinawae) and Okinawa Woodpecker (Dendrocopos noguchii) will be added soon.

4. Holding and cooperating with lectures and conferences

We carry out awareness-raising activities such as the nature of Okinawa and the problem of invasive species by using photographs, videos, specimens, etc. of wild animals,. In addition, we provide training, guidance and hands-on experience of research methods for wild animals on site.

5. Research achievements

  • Norihiro Kawauchi, Yasuyuki Nakamura, Tamaki Watanabe (2018) Predation of the endangered Japanese lizard Takydromus toyamai by the Japanese weasel Mustela itatsi, an invasive species of domestic origin. Mammalian Science 58(1):73-77.
  • Norihiro Kawachi, Takeshi Sasaki (2002) Distribution and eating habits of imported meat (Java mongoose, feral cat, and no dog) in the northern forest area of Okinawa Island. Journal of Okinawa Biological Society 40: 41-50.
  • Norihiro Kawachi, Yuji Yamamoto, Kiyoshi Imai (2003) Annual changes in testis size, plasma testosterone concentration and behavior in wild male martens. Mammalian Science 43:93-98.
  • Norihiro Kawachi, Tomoharu Komatsu, Makoto Iwasaki, Katsushi Nakata (2010) Investigation for conservation of the endangered species Okinawa spiny rat rediscovered on Okinawa Island. Pro Natura Fund 19th grant report 13-18.
  • Kawachi, Norihiro (2002) New records of white-footed frogs from Iheya Island and Ie Island. Akamata 16:6.
  • Kawachi, Norihiro, Watanabe, Tamaki, Maenosono, Tadashi (2017) A new record of Ogasawara gecko from Shimojishima and Ikemajima, Miyako Islands. Akamata 27:41-43.
  • Norihiro Kawachi, Tamaki Watanabe, Kazuno Niisato (2017) First record of Miyako toad from Kurima Island, Miyako Islands. Akamata 27: 44-46.
  • Mayu Tabata, Norihiro Kawachi, Koichi Murata (2006) Distribution of alien raccoons in western Kanagawa Prefecture. Kanagawa Prefectural Natural History Materials 27:21-26.
  • Yoshikazu Seki, Satoshi Rokuhara, Norihiro Kawachi (2008) Habitat expansion of raccoons from northwestern Kanagawa prefecture to Yamanashi prefecture. Wildlife Conservation Japan, 11(2): 59-64.
  • Nobuhiko Shimazu, Norihiro Kawachi (2017) Report on the colonization and distribution of the alien subspecies of the green turtle on Tarama Island. Fauna Ryukyuana 36: 13-17.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.