Inokashira Park Zoo began breeding Amur Leopard Cat in 2000, engaging in both natural and artificial breeding. Utilizing these breeding techniques, the zoo has been participating since 2006 in the Tsushima Leopard Cat conservation and breeding project, a joint initiative of Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums and Aquariums and the Ministry of the Environment.

Up until now, in our animal journal [*] we have talked about the behavior of wildcats, but Momo (female), the oldest Tsushima Leopard Cat in Japan, who had been in poor health since the end of last year, passed away on January 7, 2025, at the age of 18.


Tsushima Leopard Cat Momo" (photo taken December 3, 2021)
Momo was born at Fukuoka City Zoo in April 2006 and moved to Inokashira Park Zoo in November 2015. In December 2018, she moved to Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya, but returned to the zoo the following year. She has given birth to eight offspring in Fukuoka and many of them have also given birth to many offspring, so her contribution to Tsushima Leopard Cat cat population in captivity is undeniable.


Momo" relaxes on the platform (photo taken on September 3, 2022).
In his later years, his movements became slower, but even when he was comfortably sitting on his favorite platform, it was striking to see him react by twirling his ears when given his usual whistling signal. He was gentle, intelligent, and had a very good memory; even after returning from Nagoya, he remembered his familiar surroundings and the faces of the zookeepers.
　
Furthermore, she demonstrated exceptional abilities in Eurasian Moorhen training (acclimatization for health management). Of all the Tsushima Leopard Cat kept in zoos across Japan, Momo is the only one who has been able to receive fluids without anesthesia or restraint, and even in front of many visitors during opening hours. After returning to the zoo, she continued to train through daily care management, built a relationship of trust with the zookeepers, and demonstrated her high intelligence, which can only be described as "amazing."


The animal receiving fluid replacement (photo taken on May 5, 2022)
(Watch the training video here)
Tsushima Leopard Cat Momo", many thanks for the inspiration and its charm.


Tsushima Leopard Cat Momo" (photo taken September 17, 2021)

Training session

[Inokashira Park Zoo] [Karasawa, Breeding and Exhibits Section

^ ◎Animal Diary
interpoint (interword separation) Tsushima Leopard Cat animal keeper is "shit" is important! (Jun 08, 2018)
interpoint (interword separation) Bobcat, Message from the Dung (November 21, 2024)

(01/12/2025)