Job Description for Animal Individual Management Administration ~ANIMAL INVENTORY~

At Tama Zoo, in order to keep track of the types and number of animals currently being kept, we not only keep records for each individual animal but also create statistical data. This plays an important role in ensuring that accurate records of the animals kept at the time are preserved for future generations. This time, we will introduce the "ANIMAL INVENTORY."

"Animal Inventory" translates to "Animal Inventory List." This is a clear and concise list of the number of animals kept in the zoo, showing the increase or decrease over a year, categorized by animal type. While the previously introduced list of animals kept was compiled on a monthly basis, the ANIMAL INVENTORY covers the entire year, from January 1st to December 31st.

The number of vertebrates is recorded for each species, showing the increase or decrease in their numbers, making it easy to see at a glance how much the number of animals kept has changed in a year.

The data mainly includes "breeding" for increases and "transfers" for numbers brought in from other zoos, etc., while the data mainly includes "deaths" for decreases and "transfers" for numbers sent to other zoos, etc. For invertebrates such as insects, it is difficult to determine the exact number, so instead of the number, the data includes the species that were kept in captivity during the year.

Furthermore, the zoo's website lists the types and number of animals that are loaned or borrowed from other zoos for breeding purposes, allowing visitors to keep track of the animals owned by Tama Zoo that are kept outside the park, as well as those borrowed from other zoos that are kept within the park.

The creation process involves carefully checking for any missing, incorrect, or overlooked documents by comparing them with animal care logs and information gathered from animal keeper, based on the "blue paper" and "red paper" submitted by the animal care staff and the "individual card" created by the animal individual management staff.

In addition to updating information on species names, subspecies names, scientific names, and English names, we also create entries that clearly indicate whether or not they are subject to the Species Conservation Law (Law Concerning the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List category, or the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulations.

In this way, animal management staff create ANIMAL INVENTORY records based on forms submitted by animal caretakers, accurately documenting current species and animal numbers, and passing the baton so that future generations working at the zoo can learn about the history of animal care. Furthermore, by sharing ANIMAL INVENTORY information with other zoos in Japan, it is useful for creating exhibition and collection plans and for moving animals for breeding purposes.

You can gain a deeper understanding by also reading the articles introducing the work of animal individual management administration.

[Tama Zoo Coordination Section, Asakawa]

(March 20, 2026)