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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

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College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University Professor Koichi Murata

Analysis of wild bird die-off and restoration of a waterside environment

Research grant

Project Description

Examining a massive die-off of herons within an irrigation pod in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture for its implications for wild animals and the environment, the researcher takes up environmental changes as they pertain to maintaining "the healthiness of humans, animals, and the ecosystem." Pointing out the danger that a deterioration in water bird habitat could begin to have an adverse impact on human health in the near future, the researcher works together with local residents, NPOs, and government officials to improve water quality within the pond. He concludes by stressing the importance of protecting nearby waterside environments.

Fields
Preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2009 Research Grants
Grant term
3 years
April 2010 - March 2013
Grant amount
4,951,000 yen
Activity region
Kutsuwazeki Pond, Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Analysis of wild bird die-off and restoration of a waterside environment

Overview of the Organization

Professor Koichi Murata
Representative
Professor Koichi Murata
Profile
Specialist field
Conservation medicine
Affiliated academic societies
Japanese Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine; Japanese Society of Veterinary Science; the Mammal Society of Japan
Background
Graduated from the Veterinary Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazak in 1975. In 1977 became a Sanitation Inspector, Sanitation Bureau, City of Kobe. Took a position as a Zoo Veterinarian at the Kobe Municipal Oji Zoo in 1978. Attained a Doctorate in 1980 from Hyogo College of Medicine. In 1998, finished a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the United Graduate School of Veterinary Science at Gifu University. In April 2001 became an Associate Professor at the College of Bioresource Sciences at Nihon University. Became a Professor in 2004 at Nihon University.
WEB site
http://www.brs.nihon-u.ac.jp/
Collaborating researchers
Shigeo ISHIKAWA, Professor, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University; Katsuhiro SASADA, Associate Professor, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University; Yasuko NEAGARI, Researcher, Graduate School, Nihon University; Masahiro FUJIOKA, Associate Professor, Graduate School, University of Tsukuba; Hiroshi KAJIGATA, Professor, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University; Ken-ichi HARADA, Professor, Meijo University; Hisayo HAYAMA, Representative, Kanagawa Wildlife Support Network
Research record
Schistosoma parasite infection in wild birds; relations between parasite and host
Research on the preservation of rare species in and out of their regions
  • (1) Murata, K., Nii, R, Yui, S., Sasaki, E., Ishikawa, S., Sato, Y., Matsui, S., Horie, S., Akatani, K., Takagi, M., Sawabe, K. and Tsuda, Y.: Avian haemosporidian parasites infection in wild birds inhabiting Minami-daito Island of the northwest pacific, Japan. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 70 (5): 501-503, May 2008.
  • (2) Murata, K., Itoh, K., Sasaki, E., Sato, Y., Kinjo, T., Amano, Y. and Nagamine, T.: Avian piroplasm Babesia sp. isolated from crested serpent eagles (Spilornis cheela) in Yaeyama Archipelago. Japanese Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 13 (1): 29-33, March 2008.
  • (3) Murata, K., Nii, R., Sasaki, E., Ishikawa, S., Sato, Y., Sawabe, K., Tsuda, Y., Matsumoto, R., Suda, A. and Ueda, M.: Plasmodium (Bennettinia) juxtanucleare infection in a captive white eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) at a Japanese zoo. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 70 (2): 203-205, February 2008.