Inokashira Park Zoo cooperates with the Ministry of the Environment's Tsushima Leopard Cat conservation and breeding program, and has been raising Tsushima Leopard Cat since 2006.

We are pleased to announce that "Q" (male), Tsushima Leopard Cat cat, arrived at our zoo on Thursday, December 1, 2022, from Fukuoka City Zoological and Botanical Garden (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture).

Kyu was rescued on December 28, 2009, in Koura, Izuhara-cho, Tsushima City, and moved to Fukuoka City Zoological and Botanical Garden on October 28, 2010. She came to our zoo as part of the Ministry of the Environment's "2022-2023 Tsushima Leopard Cat Leopard Cat Captive Breeding Plan." Kyu is currently estimated to be 13 years old.

The Ministry of the Environment is implementing a conservation and breeding program for the endangered Tsushima Leopard Cat based on the "Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora" (commonly known as the "Species Conservation Act"). As part of this program, the Ministry of the Environment has requested the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Association of Zoos and Aquariums to undertake captive breeding programs at nine zoos across Japan. Based on the above plan, nine Tsushima Leopard Cat are scheduled to be moved throughout the country.

Following Kyu's arrival, the number of Tsushima Leopard Cat cats we keep at the zoo has increased to four (two males and two females). Please note that Kyu will be kept in a private facility and will not be on public display.


"Kyu," Tsushima Leopard Cat cat (Photo courtesy of Fukuoka City Zoological and Botanical Gardens)
(December 2, 2022)