Officials in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, have registered the first crested ibis chicks to be born in the wild in Japan in 36 years as residents of the city.
In a ceremony Wednesday, the municipal government, which covers the entire island in the Sea of Japan, also unveiled nicknames for the eight chicks born to three crested ibis pairs — Mirai (Future), Yume (Dream), Kibo (Hope), Kizuna (Bonds), Gin (Silver), Kiseki (Miracle), Sora (Sky) and Miu (Beautiful Wing).
Officials wearing crested ibis costumes performed the roles of the chicks' parents and submitted their "registrations of birth" at a city office.