Common Wolf has been born! (Updated 6/10: Regarding exhibit training)

Added on June 10, 2026: "Exhibition practice" will begin on June 11.

Common Wolf cub is growing well and has a good relationship with its father, Kayoran. Starting Thursday, June 11, 2026, we will begin "exhibition practice" to help the family get used to the viewing environment.

The viewing area set up during practice will be gradually expanded in the future, based on observations of the parents and children.

Wolves are animals that rest for long periods. If they are resting in a secluded area, you may not be able to see them.

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You can observe the practice sessions for the exhibit, but initially, the viewing area will be limited, and since parents and children will be wary, it is expected that you will not be able to see much.

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Practice may be canceled at short notice due to circumstances involving the parents and children, or for administrative reasons.

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Please observe quietly so as not to startle them, and refrain from staying in the same spot for extended periods of time taking photos. We ask for your consideration in sharing the viewing area.

Current status of mother and child (as of May 7, 2026)

On the morning of April 26th, when the birth was confirmed via surveillance cameras, all three cubs were seen moving. Since then, animal keeper have been prioritizing creating a quiet environment so that the mother can raise her cubs in peace, and have been remotely observing the mother and cubs via surveillance cameras.

The mother appeared calm and was gradually moving away from her offspring, so on May 2nd, animal keeper checked on them directly through the window. They found that two of the offspring were still alive, but the third one was nowhere to be seen. Although they checked several more times afterward, they were unable to find the third offspring, so unfortunately, it is presumed that it has died.

The two cubs have continued to grow, and on May 7th, camera footage confirmed that the cubs' eyes had opened. They have also been seen moving around actively, climbing onto their mother Sui's back and crawling between her legs.

Sui spends most of her day with her baby, taking good care of it by licking it and nursing it. Although the father, Kayoran, is not allowed to approach the nest, he has been seen feeding Sui from a distance away from it.

The wolf exhibit will remain closed, and we will continue to create an environment where the mother and cubs can raise their young in peace. We ask for your continued warm support.

We are pleased to announce that Common Wolf (subspecies: Common Wolf) has been born at Tama Zoo. This marks the first successful breeding since the wolf was put on display in the "Asian Plains" exhibit in 2013.

The mother "Sui" and the child born
(Date of photo: April 26, 2026)

A newborn Common Wolf (subspecies: Common Wolf)

birthday

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Gender and number

Unknown - 3 (As of April 26, confirmed by surveillance cameras)

parents

Mother: Sui (3 years old)
Born April 24, 2023 at Bern Zoo (Switzerland).
Arrived at Tama Zoo on March 1, 2024.

Father: Kayoran (9 years old)
Born April 30, 2016 at Hexentanzplatz Zoo (Germany).
Arrived at Tama Zoo on January 30, 2025.

Progress

Our zoo began keeping Common Wolf in 2001 in Asian Zone Carnivore House (part of the current tiger enclosure). Breeding was observed from 2005 onwards, enabling us to exhibit a wolf pack, a natural habitat for wolves. In 2013, we moved the pack to the newly opened "Asian Plains" area.

Subsequently, as the individuals aged, we received new potential pairs ("Sui" and "Kayoran") from European zoos in 2024 and 2025.

The two wolves began living together in April 2025, and mating was confirmed in mid-February 2026, during the breeding season. From around mid-April, clear signs of pregnancy were observed, such as hair loss on the abdomen, exposed nipples, and swollen mammary glands. However, since pseudopregnancy (*) is a possibility in wolves, careful observation continued.

On April 25th, the zookeepers visually confirmed fetal movement, and also observed unusual behaviors such as chasing away Kayoran, who was living with her, restless pacing, and frequent digging.

On the morning of April 26th, a check of the surveillance camera footage revealed that the first calf was born at 7:37 AM, followed by the birth of two more calves. Sui is diligently caring for her offspring, licking them and showing them affection.

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Pseudopregnancy: A condition in which hormonal changes cause abdominal swelling, mammary gland development, and milk secretion, even when a woman is not pregnant.

Regarding the release schedule

Currently, we have suspended the exhibition of wolves, including mother and cub, in order to ensure a calm environment for raising their offspring. We plan to reopen the exhibition once the mother and cub's health has stabilized. Further information regarding the exhibition of the mother and cub will be posted on Tama Zoo website.

Starting Thursday, June 11th, we will begin "exhibition practice" sessions to help parents and children become accustomed to the viewing environment.

Animal care status at Tama Zoo (as of April 26, 2026)

5 individuals (1 male, 1 female, 3 of unknown sex) *This includes the offspring born this time.
* Tama Zoo is the only zoo in Japan that keeps the Common Wolf subspecies.