The World's Wild Life

 World wildlife, average 68% decrease in 40 years WWF

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released a report on the 9th that the world's wildlife population has decreased by an average of 68% in just over 40 years.

According to the report, more than 4392 species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians were surveyed, and the population decreased from 1970 to 2016. Such a sharp drop is said to be a phenomenon that has not been seen in the past millions of years.

Particularly serious were Latin America and the Caribbean, where wildlife populations fell by an average of 94%.

The main factors are the loss of grassland, savanna, forest and wetland habitat, overfishing of wildlife, introduction of alien species and climate change.

The report points out that humanity has significantly changed 75% of the unice-covered surface.

According to the WWF, the destruction of ecosystems is now endangering 500,000 species of animals and plants and 500,000 species of insects within decades to hundreds of years.

Still, experts predict that if humans change the way food is produced and consumed, and take urgent measures such as tackling climate change and nature maintenance, these downward trends may be stopped or even overturned. To do

WWF points out that the destruction of nature by humans also poses a risk of diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as the new coronavirus.. We are doing a pandemic threat and Russian roulette," said Carter Roberts, WWF US representative. We lose. The new corona virus is just the beginning. "

With killer whales and shearwaters in the Nemuro Strait

Daisetsuzan Ginzan Machiko

Asahidake (2,291m), the highest peak in Hokkaido, forms part of the Daisetsuzan mountain range. From Asahidake Onsen at the foot of the mountain, take the ropeway to the 1600m point and look for Ginzan Machiko in the high pine belt. Since the weather in the mountains is volatile, we have two chances, one in the afternoon and one in the morning, which doubles as a preliminary weather day. This pine grosbeak is the first bird in Japan to be confirmed to breed in the Daisetsuzan mountain range. In Japan, it only inhabits parts of Hokkaido such as Mt. Rishiri. In addition, you can expect to observe wild birds such as Siberian rubythroat, olive-backed pipit, Japanese accentor, and spotted nutcracker, as well as chipmunk and mountain hare.

Observe killer whales and seabirds coming to the Nemuro Strait

Observe the killer whales coming to the Nemuro Strait on two cruises. The coast of Shiretoko Rausu is the area where the encounter rate with killer whales is the highest in the sea near Japan, and about 200 killer whales appear every year. This course offers two chances for killer whale and seabird observation cruises during your stay in Rausu. Killer whales are curious creatures that gracefully swim right next to the boat and observe water surface behavior such as bleaching and spy hops. You can also enjoy observing seabirds such as short-tailed shearwaters, northern fulmars, and rhinoceros aureus.

Bird watching to enjoy in the wild flower garden

From mid to late June, wild flowers bloom in various places such as Notsuke Peninsula, Koshimizu Wild Flower Garden on the Okhotsk coast, and Sarobetsu Plain in northern Hokkaido. Enjoying bird watching in a colorful landscape is a big attraction of this time. On the coast of Okhotsk, Iris setosa and Iris setosa are in full bloom, and Hamanasu gradually begins to bloom. In the Sarobetsu Plain, the beautiful season when the flower fields of Ezokanzo spread. Siberian rubythroats, reed buntings, and chestnut-eared snails have a high chance of being observed in various places, and many wild birds such as Yellow Wagtail, Lanceolated Warbler, and Latham's Snipe can be observed in the Sarobetsu Plain. The yellow-breasted bunting, which has become difficult to see these days, is one of the wild birds that I would like to expect.

Kilimanjaro Observatory Staying at Lodge Kenya / Tanzania Safari

Over 1.5 million wildebeests, over 200,000 zebras, and 500,000 Thomson's gazels travel across the vast savanna that spans Kenya and Tanzania in search of fresh grass as the seasons change. Herbivores who spent the summer in Masai Mara began moving to Serengeti around November, when the light rainy season begins. January will be the birth season in the southeastern part of Serengeti. Then, around June, when the rainy season ends, the 2 million herbivores spent in Serengeti head north again toward Masai Mara. Only for February departures, where many wildebeest and zebra babies are seen, you will stay at Serengeti National Park for two consecutive nights and enjoy a total of three safaris in the morning and evening.

Ride a balloon and look out over the savanna Balloon ride

Depart the lodge early in the morning and enjoy a balloon ride for about an hour. After that, we will have breakfast in the savanna and return to the lodge while doing a mini safari (the tour will be accompanied by a local English guide, not a tour conductor).

■ Price: 65,000 yen (1 person)

■ Application / Payment method: Please apply and pay in Japan before departure.

■ Travel planning and implementation: Balloon Safari

* If you participate in the balloon ride, you cannot participate in the safari drive in the early morning of the day.