Join us for the July 4th lecture on Japanese wildlife, "Getting to Know Japanese Serow—This Creature is a Little Quirky!" (Note: In-person registration is closed, but online registration is still open until July 3rd.)

Because Japanese Serow inhabits mountainous areas and was once a small species, much about its ecology remains unknown. Therefore, we have invited Hayato Takada, who has been conducting field research on the serow's habitat and social behavior for many years, to speak about the little-known aspects of the serow's life in the wild, its current habitat status, and the latest research findings that shed light on the evolution of cattle and deer relatives based on this research.

From Inokashira Park Zoo, staff will introduce the progress of the Japanese serows, which have bred for four consecutive years, and the zoo's efforts toward conservation.

We take a closer look at the Japanese serow, a slightly mysterious creature that suddenly appears during a mountain climb and stares intently at you.

Date and Time

Saturday, July 4, 2026, 13:30-16:00

place

Inokashira Park Zoo Zoo (Main Park) Museum, 2nd Floor, Meeting Room
*Simultaneous online streaming will also be available on our YouTube channel.

subject

Anyone can participate
*The content is aimed at upper elementary school students and above.

Capacity

40 participants will attend in person (no limit on online participants).
*Advance registration required (first-come, first-served basis)

Participation fee

Free (admission is also free)

Content

◆Lecture 1: "Unraveling the Mysteries of the Living Fossil, Japanese Serow"

[Instructor]

Hayato Takada (Center for Wildlife Management Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)

[Summary]

When you hear the name Japanese Serow," not many people may be able to picture its appearance clearly. It doesn't have large antlers like a deer, and its appearance is rather plain. However, the serow is a very precious and mysterious creature that still retains characteristics close to the ancestors of cattle and deer. In this lecture, I will talk about the lifestyle of serows, the relationships between individuals, and the mysteries of their evolution, which have been revealed through long-term direct observation. I will also discuss the current situation and future of serows.

[Takada's Profile]

Born in Tokyo in 1991. Received a PhD from Azabu University in 2018. After working as a researcher at the Mt. Fuji Research Institute in Yamanashi Prefecture, he is currently a specially appointed associate professor at the Wildlife Management Education and Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. His specialty is behavioral ecology. During his student days, he spent more than 100 days a year in the mountains observing Japanese serows. His publications include "Adventures Surrounding Japanese Serows and Evolution: Survival Strategies on the Mountains" (Bun-ichi Sogo Shuppan, 2025).

◆Lecture 2: "A Memoir of Japanese Serow Serow Parenting"

[Instructor]

Tatsuya Ito (Inokashira Park Zoo)

[Summary]

At Inokashira Park Zoo, we have been focusing on breeding Japanese Serow a species endemic to Japan and designated as a special natural monument. As a result, we have been able to successfully breed them for four consecutive years since 2022. This time, we will talk about the growth of young Japanese Serow, based on records that could only be observed in captivity.

How to Apply

Please apply using the registration form as follows.

When applying, please configure your spam filter and email software to allow emails from @tokyo-zoo.net and @kintoneapp.com. This is especially important for those applying from a mobile phone.
If you do not receive an automatic reply email after applying, please contact the Education and Outreach Section Inokashira Park Zoo.

Contact

井の頭自然文化園 教育普及係
電　話：0422-46-1100（代表）※受付時間は9時30分〜17時
メール：inokashira-event@tokyo-zoo.net

deadline

On-site participation

Valid for submissions sent until June 27, 2026 (Saturday).
*First-come, first-served basis (40 people). If the capacity is reached before the deadline, we will announce it on Inokashira Park Zoo official website.
Updated June 3rd: Applications are now closed as we have reached full capacity.

Online participation

Valid for submissions sent until July 3, 2026 (Friday).

Precautions

*Only one entry per person is allowed. Please note that multiple entries from the same person will be considered invalid.
*The personal information you provide when applying will only be used for communication regarding this program. Furthermore, we will strictly manage your personal information, including data storage and deletion.
*If you have any concerns or requests regarding participation, please let us know via the registration form or by phone. We will do our best to accommodate you.
*We will be conducting a survey after the program is completed, so we would appreciate your cooperation.