Regarding the situation of Amur Leopard Cat

At Inokashira Park Zoo, since August 16, 2026, six of the nine Amur Leopard Cat cats (as of August 16, 2026) being kept in captivity have shown signs of poor health. Treatment and investigation into the cause have been ongoing, but two cats died on August 17th and 18th, one on each day.

We are currently continuing to treat Amur Leopard Cat and investigate the cause of the problem.

A dead Amur Leopard Cat

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Inokashira Park Zoo cooperates with the Ministry of the Environment's Tsushima Leopard Cat conservation and breeding project, and has been raising Amur Leopard Cat cats, a subspecies of Tsushima leopard cat, since August 2000, working to improve breeding and rearing techniques. "Yuzuki" was born in 2014 at the zoo through artificial insemination, becoming the first Amur leopard cat to be born there.

On the morning of August 16, 2026, Yuzuki was found lying down and unable to stand, so we promptly took her to an animal hospital for treatment. She was recuperating at the animal hospital afterward, but we confirmed her death on the morning of August 17.

Furthermore, since August 16th, five other animals have shown similar symptoms, and we have continued treatment such as fluid replacement and medication administration, as well as investigating the cause, but Wataru died on August 18th.

Since neither of the two deceased animals showed signs of dehydration, it is unlikely that heat stress was the cause of death. We are currently conducting autopsies to determine the cause of death. Blood tests and pathological examinations are expected to take some time to yield results.

Further information will be announced on Inokashira Park Zoo official website and other platforms.