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This big boy (approx 95cms) is absolutely exhausted after spending another night trying in vain to return to his home up river. He was most probably washed downstream during a storm and can not return because many concrete weirs like this one are blocking his way. We need to build ramps as soon as possible so that these beautiful and gentle giants can move freely. They are going to disappear from the wild soon if we don’t. Many people think that because JGS are protected in Japan (only licensed researchers) can touch them) that their situation is under control. This is far from the truth as countless govt projects have concreted up the rivers in which they live. In fact the situation has officially gotten worse and their conservation status is going to change soon to reflect this. We must do more. But there is little if any govt support and very little practical conservation work happening. We will keep fighting as hard as we can but we can’t do it alone. Thank you for your continued support. #japanesegiantsalamander #salamanders #amphibians #herping #conservation #animals #nature #caudata #japan #river #environment #tottori #オオサンショウウオ ＃大山#鳥取

We’ve achieved a lot in our first few months as a Non-profit, but we’d be nowhere without the hard work and dedication of our members and supporters. One such member is Rachel, an American watercolour artist and art teacher based in Kyoto. Rachel produced and supplied art work in exchange for donations towards Sustainable Daisen and our efforts to protect the JGS. These included hand-painted postcards of Kyoto’s famous landmarks, printable PDF colouring pages, a hydrangea painting tutorial video and even some custom artistic interpretations in water colour form of landscape or scenery photographs provided by donors. The original goal of the project was to raise enough funds so as to purchase educational JGS books for each and every classroom of Daisen Town’s elementary schools. Well, I’m very happy to report that Rachel was successful in raising enough money to purchase 36 books – enough for each and every classroom! The artwork she produced was incredible and very well received by the donors. Well done, Rachel! On 23rd August, the books were presented to Sumi-sensei, the Head of the Board of Education and a friend of Sustainable Daisen. The Board of Education staff were very impressed with and thankful of Rachel’s hard work and dedication to the cause. We are sure many children, both present and in the future, will learn a lot about the special animals living in the rivers around their homes from these books. #japanesegiantsalamander #charity #nature #conservation #crowdfunding #daisen #大山 ＃山陰#おおさんしょううお

The US Military, local people, university students and our organisation’s members freely gave their time to take direct conservation action to help Daisen’s special wildlife! After several months of hard work and frustration, we as an organisation were granted special permission to build temporary bypass slopes using natural materials in an important habitat for Japanese giant salamanders (JGS) in Daisen Town. After visiting the area a few months ago and joining me for a JGS observational tour, 3 members of the US Military (and truly wonderful people) from Iwakuni base were moved into action and set about organising a group of volunteers to help with our project. At the beginning of the month, 21 US Marines, Army and Navy members travelled up from the Iwakuni American Military base. This wasn’t an official US Military programme; these kind people freely gave up their time and travelled up at their own expense to help with JGS conservation and build stronger bonds with their host country, Japan. The work itself involved moving several thousand rocks weighing many tons and I can not think of a more ideal group of volunteers than these guys and gals. Not only are they physically fit and strong specimens (many of the rocks were VERY heavy, just check the videos to see!), they were also highly motivated and did the work with a smile and even laughter. I think the Gods of sacred Mt. Daisen helped bring them here. Now that it has been recognised by officials that the weirs are a problem for the future survival of the JGS here the and that bypass slopes are a practical way to remedy the problem, we need to push forward and ensure permanent bypass slopes are installed as soon as possible. The struggle continues but we took an important and big step this month. #japanesegiantsalamander #natureconservation #amphibians #wildlife #voluntees#usmarines #usmilitary #tajeethesnakesexer #japan #america

JGS Facts #6: Japanese giant salamanders are fully aquatic! Other amphibians, like frogs and other salamanders, may spend time on land and out of the water in moist environments. Many species can live and hunt outside of the water as long as there is enough moisture or humidity. Japanese giant salamanders however breed, sleep, and feed in the water and rarely venture on land unless searching for another stream. This makes them fully aquatic. If you ever do come across a giant salamander on land, count yourself very lucky! #japanesegiantsalamander #japanesewildlife #conservationeducation #caudata #amphibia #herpetology

I took a team of Italian environmental journalists into the river last night to see the Japanese giants salamanders and the problems they are facing. Seeing these beautiful animals struggle in vain against the concrete walls and the heavy flow they create until completely exhausted is always heart breaking. This individual could live for another 60 years or more if we improve its environment. I will continue to do my best. This weekend a special team of volunteers will join us to start to tackle these problems with direct conservation action. #japanesegiantsalamander #amphibians #conservation #wildlife #animals #caudata #nature #riverconservation

Last night we conducted monthly observational surveys. Our data and documented evidence clearly shows that the concrete weirs are causing habitat fragmentation for the Japanese giant salamander in this special habitat. The solution? The implementation of bypass slopes so that the JGS can move freely up and down the rivers. We are working hard to achieve that goal but we need your continued support. Please visit our website for more details and also help spread the truth about the terrible situation faced by an animal considered a Special Natural Monument. #nature #animals #wildlife #conservation #wildlifeconservation #amphibians #amphibiansofinstagram #caudata #salamandersofinstagram

Wondering how you can help support Japanese giant salamander conservation? It’s as simple as stickers ! If you use LINE you can purchase Japanese giant salamander stickers and show support for JGS conservation efforts. Big thanks to campaign member Stephanie for creating these cute stickers, available now on LINE sticker shop. #japanesegiantsalamander #linestickers #lineスタンプ #lineスタンプ販売中 #オオサンショウウオ

More bitter sweet moments from our regular surveys. Always great to see Japanese giant salamanders but it breaks my heart every time to see them pressed against the weirs and dams, obviously under duress. We are working hard to remedy the situation and improve their habitat. But we need your help and support. Please visit our website (listed in our bio) to find out more. #salamanders #salamander #japanesegiantsalamander #wildlife #nature #conservation #animals #japan

Heads up! Here’sJGS Fact #5: Japanese giant salamanders are nocturnal 🌙⭐️ These salamanders spend most of the day resting and are not very active. But when night falls, it’s time to eat! They mainly hunt for their food at night and this is when they are most active. So how about you? Are you a day person (diurnal) or night person (nocturnal)? Comment below! Got any burning salamander queries? Comment those too and we’ll try to answer them in an upcoming post😉 #japanesegiantsalamander #japanesewildlife #conservationeducation #caudata #herpetology #amphibians #nocturnalanimals #salamander

Today we’d like to introduce some of the main threats to Japanese giant salamanders. 1. River construction projects that create weirs and dams remove salamander habitat and stop them from being able to move up and down river. It also affects the water quality (slower, more sediment) which lowers oxygen content and makes it more difficult for the salamanders to breathe. 2. Hybridization with Chinese giant salamanders, once used as a food source, can reduce the number of Japanese salamanders and introduce genes which may make them less able to survive in the wild. They may also outcompete them for food and habitat. 3. Water pollution from agricultural runoff, absorbed through their skin, can cause eggs to die and young salamanders to take longer to grow. Fertilizer runoff can also increase algae growth in the river and reduce the oxygen in the water. The Save the Japanese Giant Salamander Campaign is actively conducting surveys in the rivers in Mt. Daisen to identify key locations for bypass slopes to assist salamanders over the weirs and is working together with local farmers on organic initiatives to reduce chemical runoff on the rivers. #japanesegiantsalamander #japanesewildlife #conservationeducation #caudata #herpetology #amphibians