From February 9th to February 20th, 2002, Tokyo Sea Life Park will conduct biological collection and research in the Antarctic region. The research site is King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, located near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula (a peninsula that juts out from the Antarctic continent towards the southern tip of the South American continent).

Three staff members from our zoo will travel to this island to collect fish and other exhibit organisms, and to conduct a survey of benthic organisms (organisms that live on the bottom of rivers, lakes, and seas) using traps.

The three staff members will depart Tokyo by plane on February 3rd, traveling through North America to Chile in South America. They will gradually acclimatize in Chile (the time difference between Chile and Japan is about 11 hours), and then fly from Punta Arenas, at the southern tip of Chile, to King George Island.

The current plan is to arrive at King George Island on February 9th. Due to potential communication issues, I'm not sure if I'll be able to report properly from the island, but I plan to send reports directly from both Punta Arenas and King George Island!

Tokyo Sea Life Park continues its biennial research and collection efforts in Antarctica. Some of the organisms collected in the Antarctic Circle during the last collection in January 2000 can be seen in two tanks located in the aquarium's polar area. Please come and see these unique creatures that live in the frigid seas.

[Tokyo Sea Life Park @ Japan]

★ Please send us your questions about Antarctica! ★

What is Antarctica like? What kinds of creatures live there? What is life like for the staff in Antarctica? --I imagine relatively few people have been to Antarctica. So, we'll use satellite phones and other means to ask our staff currently in Antarctica the questions we've received from our readers. Feel free to ask anything about Antarctica, such as what it's like underwater, penguins, land animals, or the food at their accommodations. Please send your questions to webmaster@tokyo-zoo.net! (Note: Submissions are now closed)

(February 1, 2002)

◎ "Antarctic Report" (5 parts total) (Added March 1, 2002)
[1] Just before departure - I'm going to collect specimens and conduct research in the Antarctic Circle (February 1, 2002)
[2] The Eve of the Antarctic Trip - From Narita to Santiago, and then arrival in Punta Arenas (February 8, 2002)
[3] Arrival in Antarctica! -- From Punta Arenas to King George Island (February 15, 2002)
[4] Collection completed ── Ready for shipping! (February 22, 2002)
[5] Final Episode - Collected Specimens Arrive Safely (March 1, 2002)