Japan’s largest kawau cormorant colony is found in Lake Biwa. These birds are flying off from Shiga and spreading over a wide area.

Kawau cormorants from Lake Biwa have been found in Kumamoto in Kyushu, over 580 km away, the furthest distance away confirmed so far. Previously, the furthest away where they were found was in Chiba.

Seven years ago, foot rings were attached to cormorants born on Chikubushima island. A bird wearing such a ring was found in Sagara village in Kumamoto Pref. in Sept. 2008.

The problem is that Shiga is too poor to effectively eliminate these fish-depleting birds, so they plan to seek assistance from the national government.