TAIPEI — A pair of red-crowned cranes on loan from Japan have arrived in Taiwan, where they will make their public debut on Oct. 30.

The species, a designated special natural treasure in Japan, is a symbol of longevity and conjugal love.

Taiwan asked the city of Kushiro, Hokkaido, in 2009 to lease some of the birds.

After assessing the request, the prefectural government and the city decided to lease a pair of the cranes free of charge for an indefinite period as part of an academic exchange to see whether the birds can breed in an environment with different food and climate, Kushiro officials said.

Taiwan has some experience with the species. A red-crowned crane wounded by gunfire was found in the northern city of Hsinchu in September 2004.