Ueno Zoo The Tokyo Metropolitan Zoological Gardens and Aquarium, including the Tokyo Zoological Gardens and the Tokyo Aquarium, are promoting cooperative efforts as the same metropolitan facilities, while making the most of their respective characteristics. The "Master Plan for the Metropolitan Zoos" serves as a guideline for these efforts. This plan defines what kind of image the Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo is aiming for and how we will work on it, and we always keep this in mind as we carry out our daily operations.

The first Master Plan for the Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo ("the First Plan") was launched in FY2011 as a 10-year plan, and the Second Master Plan for the Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo ("the Second Plan") was formulated in FY2021 to address new issues.

In this article, we would like to look back on the First Plan and consider the challenges for the next 10 years.

Looking back on the First Metropolitan Zoo Master Plan
In the first phase of the plan, which started in FY2011, we aimed to realize the zoos 1-3 listed below. Since we were able to achieve certain results in each of them, I would like to introduce some of them.

1. A zoo that disseminates breeding and rearing techniques to the world and contributes to the conservation of wildlife in Tokyo, Japan, and around the world.

We promoted the "Zoo Stock Project," which involves breeding rare animals in captivity to increase their numbers. We also actively contributed to wildlife conservation in the Ogasawara Islands, including successfully breeding Red-headed Wood Pigeon for several generations.

Furthermore, we have worked to pass on and develop advanced animal husbandry techniques through the development of breeding and management manuals for each species, technical exchanges with zoos both domestically and internationally, and literature collection.

2. Zoos that foster sensitivity towards animals and nature and serve as a bridge between people and wild animals.

We created a new facility, "Polar Ber and Seal Oceans" which recreates the ecology and habitat of animals and effectively communicates the importance of wildlife conservation. We have also been holding animal interaction activities at the children's zoo as part of our efforts to "nurture children's sensibilities through interaction with animals," and implementing a wide variety of programs both inside and outside the zoo to "take a step further and deepen understanding" of animals.

Furthermore, we have taken steps to be environmentally conscious, such as using FSC-certified paper for brochures distributed at the park and offering Rainforest Alliance certified coffee at the shop.

3. A zoo that contributes to tourism with new attractions, attracting many people to visit repeatedly and creating a lively atmosphere.

During the summer holidays, we extended the opening hours by three hours so that visitors could experience the unique charm of the zoo at night, and as part of the "Visit Zoo" campaign, the four Tokyo Metropolitan zoos and aquariums worked together to hold various events to promote the appeal of zoos and aquariums.

Furthermore, to ensure that all visitors can enjoy the zoo with peace of mind, we have conducted training exercises in anticipation of large-scale disasters, enhanced our stockpiles, and developed response manuals.

○ What we aim to achieve with the Second Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo Master Plan
The second plan was announced in November 2020, shortly before the end of the first plan's planning period, and we are currently implementing various initiatives in accordance with this plan. For more details, please see below. This page Please take a look.

Zoos and aquariums originally had four roles: recreation, environmental education, species conservation, and research. Going forward, they must further strengthen these roles and aim to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, they must address the various changes surrounding Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos while accurately grasping the evolving circumstances.

In the second phase of the plan, based on these considerations, the "desired state" of the Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo was aligned with the four roles mentioned above: ① "to showcase" (recreation), ② "to communicate" (environmental education), ③ "to protect" (species conservation), and ④ "to master" (research and study). The "directions of efforts" to achieve this "desired state" were then defined. To realize this, five specific initiatives will be undertaken for each "direction of efforts."

While we cannot go into all the details here, the "Second Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo Master Plan" outlines various initiatives that the Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos aim to become in the future. If you have the time, please take a look at at least the summary version.

○ Key challenges for zoos going forward
Within the second plan, the issue I consider particularly important is the "promotion of animal welfare." While a similar idea was described in the first plan, the recent surge in interest in animal welfare has had a significant impact on zoo operations. Ueno Ueno Zoo is also beginning to consider further efforts to meet animal welfare standards and to evaluate those efforts. I believe it is important to move forward little by little, starting with what we can do.

We receive a variety of opinions, but we hope you will continue to follow Ueno Zoo 's efforts.

[Naoya Ohashi, Head of Education and Outreach Division Ueno Zoo]

◎140th Anniversary Project: ZooNet Series "Ueno Zoo: The Last 10 Years"
・ Conservation of rare wild animals native to Japan
・ Taking a new step: "Children's Zoo STEP"
・ Changes in Educational Outreach Programs
・ Rebuilding of an animal hospital
・ The entrance gate undergoes a transformation.

(October 15, 2022)