Wildcat animal keeper Animal Journal No.6

In "Animal Diary of a Wildcat animal keeper," we have introduced various wildcat behaviors and key points to observe. This time, we will focus on the observation skills of three Amur Leopard Cat brothers.

In the exhibit area, you can observe the animals' favorite spots and routines, but after 2 PM, you can see them climbing on tree stumps or looking around curiously.
The brothers keep an eye on each other's movements, watch visitors taking pictures, and sometimes follow birds flying in the sky, but their greatest interest seems to be "which animal keeper will be walking along the path in front of them."

Two wildcats concerned about another wildcat climbing a stump

A wildcat peeking out from behind the grass

"Ah, it's that person... but it's not that person today..." He seems to be thinking this, as he stares intently at the many animal keeper who pass in front of him on their bicycles while moving around to carry out their animal care work.

There are days when I raise Japanese Squirrel in addition to wildcats, and on my way to the squirrel exhibit at the back of the zoo, I sometimes pass by the three brothers. They seem to be able to recognize people coming by on bicycles even from a short distance away, and when I call out to them as I pass in front of them, they turn their heads and give me a look. Perhaps they know that "after I pass by, it will soon be feeding time."

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

Wildcat climbing onto a stump

[Karasawa, Inokashira Park Zoo Zoo and Zoo Exhibitor]

animal diary

(January 7, 2026)