Staff writer

KAWASAKI -- The nation's first private wildlife protection center was set up here in April and has since been busy saving birds and educating local citizens about nature.

Kunitoshi Baba, 50, a veterinarian with 25 years of experience at an animal hospital in the city, established the Kawasaki Wildlife Volunteer Center after participating in volunteer efforts to save waterfowl during the Gulf War and after a major oil spill off the coast of Fukui Prefecture last year.