Numazaki Masuhiro, Deputy Director, Toyama City Construction Department: We are very sorry.

A total of 107 herons were found dead in Toyama Castle Park between late last month and July 23.

The city announced at a press conference on July 29 that the timing of culling pine trees in June was inappropriate and may have led to the mass death of the treasured birds.

Numazaki Masuhiro, Deputy Director, Toyama City Construction Department: It was concluded that the deaths were caused by the mistiming of the felling of the pine trees where the young herons were nesting before they became independent.

Herons have been building nests in the park for about three years, and complaints about their droppings and noise have been received from local residents and others.

As a result, the city decided to cut down all six pine trees where they were nesting between June 23 and June 27.

At the time, it was assumed that the herons had already finished raising their young, but in fact, it appears that many chicks remained in the trees where they lived.

The city also didn’t consult with experts before cutting down the trees.

Toyama City has stated that it will take careful measures based on the opinions of experts and other parties moving forward.