After numerous instances of poaching, Okinawa to close hiking trails in Kunigami at night starting August 26, in an effort to protect the Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle

After numerous instances of poaching, Okinawa to close hiking trails in Kunigami at night starting August 26, in an effort to protect the Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle

The Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle, a Japanese protected species


August 18, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

In an effort to stop the poaching of plants and animals such as the Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle, a Japanese protected species that lives only in Yanbaru, in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island, the Okinawa Environmental Protection Agency will close trails in Kunigami at night from August 26 through October 21, as a test to gauge the efficacy of such a policy.

The agency stated, “We do not want the precious plants and animals from Yanbaru to be taken from their home any more, and we want to carry this out with the understanding of local residents and the people of Okinawa, who greatly value the nature of Okinawa,” asking for cooperation in this endeavor.

Last year, there were numerous cases of the poaching of the rare animals that live only in Yanbaru that put the animals at risk of extinction, such as an incident when 60 Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtles that had been poached were discovered in Hong Kong and led to a scandal in the attempt to unmask the poachers.

In addition to the Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle, there were cases of poaching other rare endemic species such as the Okinawa stag beetle, and the Okinawa sekkoku, a critically endangered Okinawan orchid.

Okinawa had previously engaged in patrolling and public awareness campaigns, but will now try this measure as an experiment to investigate physically blocking poachers’ ability to enter the area.

The experimental measure will close the trails from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning every night for the duration of the test. For cases such as emergency rescue and disaster relief, permission must be obtained before entering the area at night.

For details, please contact the Okinawa Environmental Agency World Natural Heritage Site Promotion office at: 098 (866) 2243

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

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