ZOOS IN JAPAN

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Zoos try some new ideas

 

 

By Masayoshi Minato

 

Japanese zoos, which have faced slow times, are making a comeback these days by

introducing new ideas that emphasize things like natural habitats, rare species

and the importance of public support for the zoos themselves.

 

The annual number of zoo visitors in Tokyo and the 13 major

government-designated cities peaked at 23 million in 1975. It then began

plunging and fell as much as 40% to 14.28 million in 1998, according to the

Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

 

But the Asahikawa Zoo in Hokkaido Prefecture has bucked this trend by boosting

the annual number of visitors five-fold from 1996 to 1.45 million in 2004.

 

" In the past, visitors had been allowed to see only caged animals, " said the

zoo's general manager, Masao Kosuge. " Now we allow visitors to see animals

moving as freely as possible to demonstrate their excellent abilities and

actions. "

 

For example, orangutans can climb rocks and walk on ropes in their living area

which is more than 10 meters high.

 

" People should know that animals surpass humans in some capabilities, " said

Kosuge.

 

The Asahikawa Zoo sponsors summer school programs, contests and other

nontraditional activities. The average number of visitors on a weekday has

doubled or tripled from the earlier level of some 2,000.

 

Tokyo's Ueno Zoo is also luring more visitors with a new facility completed in

March, which lets visitors watch Eurasian river otters flap through a pipe from

a pool into a transparent tank where they can feed. The display simulates their

natural habitat.

 

The Ueno Zoo also launched a Zoo Supporter initiative in April 2004 to promote

public interest in animals.

 

Annual fees of 10,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for kids allow members to

attend exclusive " Supporters' Day " events as well as receive discounts at shops

and restaurants within the zoo.

 

The funds are used to help remodel the facilities and feed the animals. The zoo

raised 6.67 million yen from 570 people and corporations through the initiative

in fiscal 2004. Other zoos have introduced similar initiatives.

 

Yokohama opened a reproduction center to preserve rare species at its municipal

zoo — Zoorasia — six years ago.

 

An advisory panel had recommended that municipal zoos increase their

attractiveness by developing facilities to preserve rare species and enable them

to reproduce, and to conduct research. (Kyodo News)

 

August 18, 2005

 

 

 

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People should know that animals surpass humans in some capabilities.

 

 

 

Japan Today Discussion

Zoos try some new ideas

Pukey2 (Aug 18 2005 - 09:57)

 

I had the misfortune to visit one zoo in Nagoya while I was attending the Expo.

I can't remember the name, but the 500 yen ticket included entrance to the

botanical gardens, the only saving grace. While the larger animals and cute ones

(like penguins and koalas) seemed content enough, the monkeys were half dead or

pacing left and right, obviously with psychological problems. They looked damn

right miserable. I felt guilty even looking at them. Some of them even showed no

reaction. Large birds didn't even have enough space to move, let alone fly. In

this case, the best zoo is a closed zoo. What was the whole point, I thought to

myself.

 

At the end of the day, I guess profits matter much more than the welfare of the

animals and giving kids a real education.

I'd rather go to places like a bird santuary (there's one near Haneda).

 

What are the zoos like in Tokyo and neighbouring areas?

The best zoo (if they really do need to exist) was the night safari in

Singapore.

 

Pukey2

urko (Aug 18 2005 - 10:16)

 

san diego?

 

Tokyo (Ueno) Zoo is abysmal.

 

There is a nice zoo out in Kanagawa, Kanazawa something, forget the name, but

its one of those " modern " zoos with a lot of decent space.

 

Problem is that zoo's are mostly commercial ventures. Sure there are some that

actually do proactive things such as breeding programs etc. but this requires

money. But as you say, do they need to exist? Sure its nice to see animals up

close and some animals can be kept in relatively small spaces. But nothing is

like seeing them in the wild. ONe of the coolest trips I've done was Etosha. Up

close and personal with a very large lion...

 

radical new idea

smd (Aug 18 2005 - 11:45)

 

let the animals roam free and put the LDP in the cages

 

 

Zoos try some new ideas

Bikkurin (Aug 18 2005 - 13:15)

 

Most Zoo's in Japan are horrible, maybe because the people are used to live in

cramped little spaces they imagined the animals wouldn`t mind it either.