The animal, nicknamed Dan-Dan, is a Grus Japanesis — also known as a Japanese crane. It is one of the tallest (140 cm) and the second rarest crane in the world, with a total population of approximately 2,000 adult birds worldwide.

Dan-Dan is departing today at noon en route for Seoul Grand Park Zoo, which already possesses more than 20 Japanese cranes living in a one-of-a-kind bird observatory.

For the 100th anniversary celebration of the institution slated for November, Korean zoo authorities are planning to release up to eight Japanese cranes, including Dan-Dan, into the wild in Cheolwon, Ganwon province.

In traditional Korean culture, cranes are a symbol of harmony and peace.

“We believe that the birds will naturally go back to Siberia or Heilongjiang [province, China],” said Taipei Zoo Director Chen Pao-chung, who noted that Dan-Dan could probably come back to Taiwan again during the next migratory season.

Accordingly, Chen explained that Dan-Dan will be equipped with a satellite tracking device in order for the zoo to be able to keep track of him in the future.

The tall crane is traveling in a specially designed wooden box, and will be accompanied by the veterinarians who have been treating it since its arrival at the zoo on September 16, 2004.

After several months of recovery, during which it progressively regained strength and weight, Dan-Dan can now stand, walk, and soon fly — a miracle after being hit by lead shots six times in the legs, chest and neck by military personnel in charge of dispersing birds on the runways of Hsinchu military airport.

“One of the lead shots is still in Dan-Dan’s neck,” said Taipei Zoo’s spokesperson Jason Chin, before noting that the bird’s latest health check shows that the animal is in excellent condition.

“We had to apply for authorizations from Korea and Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture before sending Dan-Dan to Seoul,” added Taipei Zoo’s Deputy Director Yang Chien-jen.

He explained that an international certificate is needed before sending Dan-Dan to Korea because Japanese cranes are listed as an endangered species worldwide.

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