Japanese camera and copier maker Canon Inc. donated NT$500,000 (US$16,750) to Taipei Zoo on Sunday to help the zoo nurture two red-crowned cranes, considered to Japan’s national birds.
Japan sent the cranes, named Big and Kika, to Taiwan on Sept. 14 as a sign of its gratitude for Taiwan’s assistance to Japan earlier this year after the country was hit by a disastrous earthquake and tsunami in March.
Andy Kamata, president of Canon’s Taiwan branch, hoped the donation would help the two cranes adapt to the environment in Taiwan and breed successfully.
“We hope to teach more people about the rare red-crowned cranes and the concept of conservation, so that more people will be aware of the importance of animal conservation,” Kamata said in a statement.
Taipei Zoo also allowed the more extroverted Big to appear in public for the first time Sunday, while the shy Kika will be revealed to the public early next year.
Jeffrey Wu
CNA