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

Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus

They are found around the Arctic Circle, but in winter they migrate south, sometimes even flying to Japan (Hokkaido). During the summer breeding season, the Arctic Circle experiences midnight sun, meaning the sun never sets, making them unusually active among Ural Owl during the day. As there are almost no trees in the polar regions, they perch on ice blocks or rocks on the plains to hunt for prey. They build their nests in depressions in the tundra or grasslands.

classification	Class Aves, Order Ural Owl, Family Ural Owl
English name	Snowy Owl
distribution	Arctic Circle and surrounding areas
Residence	tundra
Size	Total length: 55-70cm Weight: 1.8-2.3kg
food	Mainly lemmings and rodents
Red List	IUCN: VU (Very)

Tama Zoo exhibition area

Tama Zoo and Asian Zone

Differences in plumage between males and females

While females have black spots, males are completely white. It is thought that the female's spots blend in with the ground when she is incubating her eggs in the nest and are less noticeable, and the male's white color makes it easier for her to hide from prey when hunting in the snow.