We will be holding "Action for KOALA 2026: Let's all protect Koala and the forest where Koala live" from October 24th to 25th.
event
August 26, 2026
Tama Zoo will be holding "Action for KOALA 2026 Koala Let's Protect Koala and Their Forests Together!" to coincide with Koala Day on October 25th. This event offers a fun way to learn about Koala and Koala conservation through lectures and quizzes, and supports conservation efforts through donations.
This event is being held as part of the "Wildlife Conservation Project." The Wildlife Conservation Project is an initiative that began in 2024 to strengthen wildlife conservation activities at Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums. It aims to contribute to the conservation of populations in their habitats and is developing conservation activities through a multifaceted approach.
Donation boxes will be set up – let's support the forest where Koala live!
To support efforts to protect Koala habitats, we will be placing donation boxes inside Watching Center. Those who donate will receive a leaf-shaped sticker. Let's use the stickers to create a large, lush eucalyptus tree by sticking them onto a panel we have prepared that resembles a eucalyptus tree.
*All collected donations will be given to the Australia Koala Foundation.
*The leaf-shaped stickers will be distributed until supplies run out, but donations will be accepted during the period below.
October 24th (Sat) - 25th (Sun), 2026
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Watching Center Entrance
Lecture: "Let's all protect Koala and Koala forests where they live!"
We will be hosting a lecture by our zoo's Koala keeper and Dr. Takashi Hayakawa, known for Koala research, including field surveys on Kangaroo Island in Australia. The lecture will cover the lives of Koala in zoos, their fascinating ecology, and the current situation in Australia, their Koala habitat.
October 25, 2026 (Sunday) 13:30-15:00
*The end time may vary.
Animal Watching Center
The content is geared towards middle school students and older, but anyone is welcome to participate.
100 people
*Advance registration required. If there are many applicants, a lottery will be held.
Lecture 1: "The Story of Koala Living in Japan"
Satomi Takamura (Tama Zoo Animal Care and Exhibition Division, South Garden Animal Care and Exhibition Section 2)
Koala first arrived in Japan in October 1984. For over 40 years since then, many Koala have lived in Japan. In this session, the koala keepers will talk about the fascinating aspects Koala that you may or may not know, as well as the challenges of raising Koala in Japan, so far removed from Australia.
Lecture 2: "The Present and Future of Koala Living in Changing Eucalyptus Forests"
Takashi Hayakawa, PhD (Department of Ecological Genetics, Graduate School of Environmental Science and Earth, Hokkaido University)
According to the latest survey funded by the Australian government (National Koala Monitoring Program 2025), the current wild Koala population is estimated at 729,000~918,000. This is higher than other endangered animals and is not immediately threatened with extinction. Local activities and relentless international cooperation are keeping Koala from extinction. However, five threats are affecting Koala: loss of eucalyptus forests due to logging and fires, traffic accidents, predation by invasive species, chlamydia infection, and retroviruses. While introducing the latest research and conservation practices, we will consider the future of Koala living in eucalyptus forests and what we can do.
Born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Holds a PhD in Science. After serving as a specially appointed assistant professor at the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, and a curator at the Japan Monkey Centre, she assumed her current position. She researches the behavior, ecology, and evolution of endangered mammals by combining fieldwork and genomic science methods, and conducts activities that contribute to conservation. Since 2017, she has conducted international collaborative research on genome analysis of Koala, taeniacs, Common Brushtail, platypuses, and Short-beaked Echidna, including research in Australia. Faced with the large-scale wildfires known as "Black Summer" in 2019-2020, she is also interested in and researching the protection and adaptation of wild Koala whose habitats were lost due to the burning of eucalyptus forests. Her supervised works include "Koala are Cute" (KADOKAWA) and "An Invitation to Koala Swamp" (Sekai Bunka Publishing).
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 Tama Zoo Education and Outreach Section.
Tama Zoo Education and Outreach Section
042-591-1611 (Main number) *Reception hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
tama_kouenkai@tokyo-zoo.net
Valid for submissions sent until September 30, 2026 (Wednesday).
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at the contact information above.
Quiz competition "What rank are you?! Koala Quiz 2026"
We will be holding a Koala-themed quiz competition (Koala Quiz). Participants can enjoy the quiz while learning about Koala ecology and efforts to protect Koala.
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 13:30-14:30
Animal Watching Center Hall
Anyone is welcome to participate.
Approximately 100 people
*No advance registration required. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event.
Mini Panel Exhibition
Along with messages sent to our park by the Australia Koala Foundation, the sponsor, we will introduce the current state of the eucalyptus forest where Koala live and the outline of the "Wildlife Conservation Project" that inspired this event, through panels.
October 24th (Sat) - October 25th (Sun), 2026
Watching Center Entrance
(Watching Center closes at 4:30 PM)