Zoo Stock Species and the Red List

Zoo Stock

This indicates that the species is included in the Second Zoo Stock Plan, which was formulated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2018. The plan sets goals for the next 10 years in three areas: "species conservation," "contribution to wildlife conservation," and "environmental education and conservation awareness." 124 animal species are included.

What is the Red List?

Based on scientific research, this is a list of wildlife classified by rank (category) indicating the degree of risk of extinction.
Livng Things Encyclopedia shows the categories (mainland and islands) assessed by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) at the global level, the Ministry of the Environment for Japan, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for Tokyo.

The higher the category in each table, the higher the risk of extinction, and CR, EN, and VU are the three categories known as "endangered species." In Tokyo, species that are not at the NT (near threatened) level but are relatively rare are considered "species of concern."

IUCN categories
EX	extinction
EW	Extinction in the wild
CR+EN	—
CR	Serious crisis
EN	crisis
VU	emergency
NT	Near Threatened
LC・○	Low Concern
DD	Data shortage
LP	—

Japan (Ministry of the Environment) Category
EX	extinction
EW	Extinction in the wild
CR+EN	Endangered species
CR	Critically Endangered
EN	Endangered species
VU	Endangered species
NT	Near Threatened
LC・○	—
DD	Lack of information
LP	Endangered local population

Tokyo Category
EX	extinction
EW	Extinction in the wild
CR+EN	Endangered species
CR	Critically Endangered
EN	Endangered species
VU	Endangered species
NT	Near Threatened
LC・○	Unranked
DD	Lack of information
LP	Endangered local population

Creatures at Tama Zoo

Asian Black Bear
Ursus thibetanus japonicus

Subspecies: Japanese Black Bear

This is a subspecies of Asian Black Bear, which is widely distributed throughout Asia, and lives in the forests of the Tama region of Tokyo. It is named after the crescent-shaped white spot on the chest that most bears have. They eat a lot in the fall to store up fat, and hibernate in the winter. However, their body temperature only drops by a few degrees, and females give birth to two cubs during this time. Their numbers have declined in Chugoku and Shikoku, and they are considered extinct in Kyushu.

classification	Mammalia, Carnivora, Ursidae
English name	Japanese Black Bear
distribution	Japan (Honshu, Shikoku)
Residence	A diverse forest zone stretching from the foothills to the alpine zone at an altitude of 3,000m
Size	Head torso length: 1.2-1.8cm Tail length: 7-11cm Weight: Males 110-150 kg, females 65-90 kg
food	They are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, tree buds, small vertebrates, invertebrates, insects, and carrion. They are more herbivorous than carnivorous.
Red List	IUCN: VU (Very) Tokyo: NT (near threatened)

Tama Zoo exhibition area

Tama Zoo and Asian Zone

I'm good at climbing trees!

They are much smaller and more agile than Brown Bear, so they often climb trees. Their large, curved, sharp claws and the lack of hair on the soles of their feet make them less slippery, which is extremely useful for climbing trees.