Tag - zoos

 
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July 04, 2025
 

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ZOOS

Fans bid fareweel to the four pandas residing at Adventure World in Wakyama Prefecture on Friday, their last viewing day before being returned to China on Saturday.
JAPAN
Jun 27, 2025
Fans bid farewell to four pandas in Kansai ahead of return to China
Rauhin, 24, and her three daughters — 8-year-old Yuihin, 6-year-old Saihin and 4-year-old Fuhin — will be transferred to China on Saturday.
Giant panda Rauhin at Adventure World in Wakayama Prefecture. She and her three daughters are expected to be sent to China in June.
JAPAN
Apr 25, 2025
All four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to be sent to China
If no new additions join the zoo, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo would be the only remaining giant pandas housed in Japan.
Visitors take photos of Shin Shin at Ueno zoo in Tokyo on Saturday. Saturday was the last chance for Japan's panda-lovers to see Shin Shin and Ri Ri before their return to China.
JAPAN
Sep 29, 2024
Japan's legions of panda-lovers bid farewell to beloved pair in Tokyo
Avid fans of the pandas congregated outside Ueno zoo overnight to secure a spot in line to see the pair for one minute each.
People watch the male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in June 2017.
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2024
Panda pair in Tokyo to return to China
The elderly pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin will be returned to China next month for medical care.
Quokkas have been dubbed the "happiest animal in the world."
JAPAN
Aug 28, 2024
Saitama zoo seeks donations for 'smiling' quokkas
The Saitama Children's Zoo in Higashimatsuyama is the only place in Japan where people can see quokkas.
The arowana fish gifted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo to Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
JAPAN
Jul 11, 2024
Ueno Zoo welcomes Indonesian fish gifted to Japan Imperial couple
The zoo said that it will keep the luxury tropical fish in an area not open to visitors for the time being.
Giant panda Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo's Taito Ward on May 20
JAPAN
Jun 17, 2024
Clock ticking for transfer of Tokyo giant panda cub twins to China
The likelihood of the transfer is expected to rise when the twins — who turn 3 on June 23 — reach an age at which they can breed.
Tan Tan was supposed to be sent back to China in 2020, but her return was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 1, 2024
Japan’s oldest panda, Tan Tan, dies at 28
The giant panda leased from China lived in Kobe Oji Zoo for 24 years as a symbol of recovery from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.
As many as 31 squirrels at the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo are believed to have been accidentally killed with anti-parasitic medicine this month.
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2023
Tokyo zoo probes suspected mass squirrel poisoning after 31 die
Keepers at the zoo injected the animals with anti-parasitic medicine earlier this month as part of a sanitary precaution.
A giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington during one of its last days on American soil. Pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji were returned to China on Nov. 8 upon Beijing's request.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 14, 2023
Pandas don’t play diplomatic hard ball like China does
Panda diplomacy is endangered, with the forced return of three bears from Washington to China an exercise in "dumb power."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Nov 21, 2022
Hokkaido zoos and aquariums struggle to cope as feed and energy prices rise
The facilities are unable to reduce the amount of feed or fuel they use without impacting animal welfare.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 17, 2020
Zoo closures put conservation programs in jeopardy
Animal welfare and research facilities around the world are feeling the financial pinch of the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 4, 2020
Olympics and Year of the Rat give starring role to capybaras at Japanese zoos
Sinking into steamy hot springs, the giant rodents of Izu Shaboten Koen flick their ears and close their eyes against the camera clicks of fascinated onlookers, drifting into a hazy midday nap.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 2, 2020
German zoo blaze caused by New Year's gesture gone wrong, say police
A Chinese lantern, launched by a 60-year-old mother and her two adult daughters in a New Year's Eve celebration, caused a fire at a German zoo in which dozens of animals were killed, including eight great apes, authorities said.
JAPAN
Oct 31, 2019
Ueno Zoo's popular monorail halts service after over 60 years
The much-loved monorail at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo halted its service on Thursday after more than 60 years in operation, due to the aging of the train and facilities.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 13, 2018
Ueno Zoo to make panda-viewing easier with new system and extended hours
Ueno Zoo will replace its lottery system for viewing popular cub Xiang Xiang with one that favors early birds.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Oct 18, 2017
Ushering in a new, kinder era for Japan's zoos
Lack of legal regulation means the worst facilities continue to taint Japan's image abroad.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
May 8, 2017
Shabani the gorilla credited with keeping Nagoya zoo visitor numbers up despite bird flu outbreak
The total number of visitors to Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya reached 2,408,400 in fiscal 2016, the second-highest level in the last 20 years.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Aug 27, 2016
Japan zoos could be an endangered species
In terms of zoos per capita, Japan is No. 1 in the world, despite the fact that attendance has been dropping for more than two decades.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 17, 2016
Disney faces PR crisis, risk of legal action after gator attack
June was supposed to have been a triumphant month for Walt Disney Co. theme parks, with the flashy opening of a long-planned resort in Shanghai and a new Florida attraction based on its wildly popular animated movie "Frozen."
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

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