Wildcat animal keeper Animal Journal No.6

In "The Wildcat animal keeper 's Animal Diary" [※], we have introduced various aspects of wildcat behavior and points to observe. This time, we will focus on the observational skills of the three Amur Leopard Cat brothers.

In the exhibit, you can observe the animals' favorite spots and routine behaviors, and after 2:00 p.m. you can see them climbing stumps and looking around restfully. The brothers keep an eye on each other's movements, watch visitors taking photos, and occasionally follow birds flying through the sky, but what they seem most interested in is "which animal keeper will pass by the path in front of them."

"Oh, it's that person... but it's not that person today..." It seems to be thinking something like that as it stares intently at the many animal keeper riding their bicycles and crossing in front of it while moving between animal care tasks.

Besides caring for wildcats, I also have days when I'm responsible for caring for Japanese Squirrel. On my way to the squirrel enclosure located at the back of the park, I sometimes pass by the three brothers. The three brothers seem to be able to recognize me coming by bicycle even from a distance, and when I call out to them as I pass by, they turn their heads and look at me. They may have figured out that it will be feeding time for them a little while after I pass by.

The animals spend their days observing various activities, including our animal husbandry work. Their ability to distinguish between different things and their eyesight should not be underestimated.

[Karasawa, Inokashira Park Zoo Zoo and Zoo Exhibitor]