A lion that has been a zoo favorite for over 100 years.
But now it doesn't look like that.
There was a desire of the zoo to make not only the visitors but also the animals happy.
(Osaka Broadcasting Station Happiness News Coverage Group Mayumi Onoda Hikari Adachi)
We do not breed lions
"We will no longer breed lions at Kyoto City Zoo."
Kyoto City Zoo will celebrate its 120th anniversary next year.
It is the second oldest zoo in Japan after Ueno Zoo.
However, there is no lion in "Kyoto City Zoo Beast World".
Kyoto City Zoo has been breeding lions for many years, including the first successful breeding of lions in Japan in 1897.
The last one was the oldest male Nile in the country, who died at 25 years and 10 months.
In human terms, it is over 100 years old.
I was aging and almost sleeping.
It is said that he thought about how to take care of animals and what is the happiness of animals.
Kyoto City Zoo in the city.
The lion breeding space was limited.
Since the lions originally live in groups, I decided not to raise new lions if I couldn't expand the space.
Mitsunori Nagao, Curator of Kyoto City Zoo "With
the idea of" animal first ". Lions and elephants are very popular animals. There is a debate about what a zoo will disappear, but animals really live happily. I wonder if it will be the most important point. "
Double the Jaguar Beast House
The decision not to keep a lion has also led to the happiness of other animals.
The animal house where the lion was in was expanded to the Jaguar space.
The size of the animal house has doubled, and food can now be eaten in various places.
Flamingo with friends
Ingenuity can be seen everywhere in the park.
For example, flamingo.
In the wild, we live in hordes.
How can many friends be gathered in a limited space?
So here is what the zoo thought about.
Did you notice?
A large mirror was installed in the exhibition space.
It seems that there are many friends, so it is said that flamingos can be relieved.
To see the lively appearance of animals
Because animals live happily, they show us a healthy appearance.
Artificial turf and large rocks are placed in the penguins exhibition space.
Originally a Humboldt penguin walking on a rocky slope.
It is said that if you walk only on a flat place, the force will be concentrated on the same place, and something like a "callus" will be formed on the sole of your foot, causing inflammation.
Therefore, the staff made scaffolding by hand so that they could walk in various places.
As the staff members thought, I couldn't find any "octopus" in the spring health examination.
You can see them walking around various places in good spirits.
A rest area for animals in the contact room
There is also a change in the "contact room," which is popular with children.
The guinea pigs, which are popular as guinea pigs, are gathered in a tubular "resting place".
I have a habit of getting into holes, so I made a break.
So to speak, it is "work style reform".
When there are guinea pigs in this tube, we encourage them not to touch them.
The trigger was Korona-ka.
When I stopped contacting, the number of veterinarians at the zoo was halved.
It teaches us the joy and warmth of interacting with us because it reduces stress and keeps us healthy.
Mitsunori Nagao, Curator of Kyoto City Zoo
"I wonder if we are at a turning point where people should learn how to relate to animals while considering the happiness of animals. Is this animal living happily? What is it?" If you can get it "
Visitors are also positively accepted.
"There are children who touch and children who don't touch, but that can't be helped. It's better than being weakened by stress."
"I think it would be nice to understand that children and animals can get tired."
What you can do for animals
This kind of device that allows animals to live comfortably is called "environmental enrichment" and is implemented at zoos nationwide.
Kyoto City Zoo was selected for the "Enrichment Award" last year.
In addition, at the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, in April this year, the "Fureai Square" for sheep and goats was renewed to the "Friendship Garden".
I only touch animals when I get close to them, and I place more importance on compassion for animals than touching them.
Visitors can prepare animal treats with the zookeepers and observe while listening to explanations.
I hope it will be an opportunity to think about the feelings of animals.
The zoo is not only a place where people are familiar with animals, but also a place where the happiness of animals can be considered.
When you go to the zoo during the summer vacation, why not find out what you are doing for the animals?
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