Spring is the season when various creatures become active. Among them, dangerous creatures for humans also begin their activities. The most prominent example is the hornet.

During the winter, female hornets hibernate alone, digging holes in decaying wood or other suitable locations. In the spring, they awaken from hibernation and begin building their nests. The queen hornet, who mated before hibernation, starts building the nest by herself and simultaneously begins laying eggs. She then gradually increases the number of worker hornets, expanding the nest.


A hornet's nest that was removed on May 3rd (incomplete).
At the zoo, we remove hornet nests to prevent any danger to visitors. The photo above shows a nest of either a small hornet or a yellow hornet in its early stages. It was removed on May 3rd.


Eggs found inside the nest
In February, we discovered a small hornet hibernating in a gap in a decaying log in the wildlife plaza. Hornets were also flying around during our "Let's Play in the Wildlife Plaza" activity on May 3rd. All of our staff are taking precautions while carrying out our activities.


A hibernating hornet (photographed in February 2015)

[Inokashira Park Zoo Zoo]

(May 15, 2015)