On March 3, 2011, one male and two female Kyushu Japanese Hare were brought to Inokashira Park Zoo from Itozu no Mori Park in Kitakyushu City. Preparations for their exhibition had been underway for quite some time, so after the quarantine period ended on March 25, they were put out into the exhibition area and observed. It was a quiet debut, as the zoo had been closed due to the earthquake.

The exhibit is located next to Capybara enclosure. We planted grass and trees to make the environment as close to a natural habitat as possible, and also provided nesting boxes for breeding and hiding. Wild hares are very timid animals, so we were careful not to startle them and cause collisions. Capybara next door showed interest in the hares and peered at them through the netting, so we were worried that it might startle them, but there seemed to be no problem.

I thought they might hide in nest boxes or something, but they hardly ever go into boxes and are always in a place where all three can be seen together. They sometimes come out to eat grass and pellets in the center of the exhibit, so try to find them. It might also be interesting to compare them to Domestic Rabbit that are kept nearby.

The male was born in April 2010, and the females were born in May 2009 and April 2010. We hope they will breed in the future. The hares are calm when animal keeper are watching from the viewing area, but they get startled as soon as someone enters their enclosure. Do they understand that they are not in danger as long as they are not inside the enclosure, no matter how close people are?

Since hares are mainly nocturnal, they are rarely seen in the wild. Please take this opportunity to see them at the zoo.

At the "Little House Under the Zelkova Tree in Front of the Wildcat Enclosure" within the park, we are currently holding a small special exhibition titled "Have You Ever Seen a Wild Hare?". Using wild hares from Ten'ei Village, Fukushima Prefecture as an example, the exhibition introduces their lifestyle and the current situation of their declining numbers through specimens and explanatory panels. Please take a look at this as well.


・ Small-scale exhibition
・ Lecture: "The Story of Rabbits and Mice: Things You Think You Know But Don't"

Photo above: Kyushu Japanese Hare
Photo below: An animal enclosure with many hiding places; try to find the rabbits!

[Inokashira Park Zoo Zoo]

(April 22, 2011)