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

Serval
Leptailurus serval

This medium-sized feline is tall and slender, possessing the longest legs among all felines. It has a small head and distinctive large, parabolic-like ears. Its body is pale yellowish-brown to golden in color, with black spots scattered across its body, and fine mottled patterns on its neck and legs. Its tail is relatively short, about one-third the length of its body.

classification	Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae
English name	Serval
distribution	Sub-Saharan Africa
Residence	Eurasian Moorhen, grassland, waterside
Size	Head and body length: Males 59-92cm, Females 63-82cm Tail length: 20-38cm Weight: Males 7.9-18 kg, females 6-12.5 kg
food	Rodents, shrews, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, etc.
Red List	IUCN: LC (Least Concern)

Tama Zoo exhibition area

Tama Zoo, African Zone

feet

Serval have the longest legs of any cat, allowing them to move around efficiently and catch prey.

ear

Serval have very large ears and excellent hearing, which allows them to detect even the slightest sound and helps them find prey hiding in the grass.

hunting

Serval are specialized for hunting small mammals in tall grasslands. They use their large ears to detect hidden prey and their long legs to move efficiently through the grass. Once they find their prey, they pounce with an arching jump, which can reach a maximum width of 1.5 meters and a height of 3.6 meters. They also use their long legs to dig rodents out of their burrows and make high vertical jumps to catch birds and insects.

Danger in the wild

Serval has lost its primary hunting grounds due to the disappearance of wetlands, and prey is declining due to the degradation of grasslands caused by agricultural development and grazing. Furthermore, the fur trade continues in West Africa, increasing the risk of local extinction. A very small population remains in northwestern Africa, but it is isolated from other habitats.

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