Cell Phone Info Service for Birdlovers

Aiming to popularize birdwatching in Japan, a conservation organization called the Wild Bird Society of Japan has created an online bird guide for cell phones that have Internet access. This service allows users to search for information about birds anytime, anywhere, and has been gaining in popularity.

The introductory section of the website illustrates 37 species often seen in urban areas, for free (except for call charge). For more details, a pay service (300 yen or about U.S.$2.50 per month) is available allowing searches for some 300 species, more than half the wild birds in Japan, by specifying habitat, location, season and bird size. The site also offers tips on how to enjoy birdwatching, identify birds, and cultivate birdwatching etiquette in the field. Users can download their favorite of 50 birdsongs to use as the ring tone for their cell phones.

The Society is one of the largest non-governmental organizations for environmental conservation in Japan, with 55,000 members (as of December 1999). It aims to protect the natural environment, including bird habitat, based on a love for birds. The organization tries to maintain a balance between its two functions: one as a forum for birdwatchers, and the other as a conservation body that advocates environmental policies on public works projects.

About 60 million people in Japan, or one in every two people, owns a mobile phone, and they make about 30 billion calls annually (as of 2000).



Posted: 2003/01/28 04:23:59 AM
Japanese version