Tama Zoo was certified by the Ministry of the Environment as a "Certified Zoological and Botanical Garden for the Conservation of Rare Species" under the "Certified Zoological and Botanical Garden for the Conservation of Rare Species" system on December 27, 2024.

This system allows the Minister of the Environment to certify zoos and botanical gardens that meet certain standards for the protection and propagation of rare species. It began on June 1, 2018, following an amendment to the "Species Conservation Law." Because Tama Zoo houses many rare wild animals, it took time to verify their history and other details, making it the last of the Tokyo Metropolitan zoos and aquariums to receive certification. (Regarding Kasai's certification...) Here Regarding the certification of Inokashira Here Regarding the designation of Ueno Here (Please see below.)

Facilities that receive certification will, in principle, be exempt from regulations that were previously required, such as procedures for moving rare species for breeding purposes. Furthermore, the following effects are expected from this system: Ministry of the Environment website twist).

- Establishing a collaborative system for ex-situ conservation through smooth transfer of individuals with other zoos and aquariums for breeding purposes.
- Promote environmental education and awareness-raising regarding rare wild animal and plant species to a large number of visitors.
- Clarifying the public function of zoos and botanical gardens, such as "species conservation," and increasing their social recognition.

When applying, the facility must apply for and obtain national certification for all rare wild animal and plant species it handles. Tama Zoo 's certified species include 16 "domestic rare wild animal and plant species" and 26 "international rare wild animal and plant species."

Since its opening in 1958, Tama Zoo has been committed to wildlife conservation. For example, in 1988, it successfully bred the Japanese Oriental Stork for the first time in Japan, and has contributed to reintroduction projects into the wild in Hyogo Prefecture and other areas. Since 2007, in order to mitigate risks, it has been raising Crested Ibis Ibises in a non-public facility and has also been successful in breeding them.

Many species of internationally endangered wild animals and plants have been successfully bred, including Red Panda, Lion, Cheetah, snow Snow Leopard, orangutans, Chimpanzee, and African Bush Elephant.

Moving forward, we will continue to leverage the diverse experience and skills we have cultivated to work in collaboration with zoos, research institutions, and the Ministry of the Environment both domestically and internationally, to conserve and promote the awareness of rare wildlife.


Certificate

Domestic rare wild animal and plant species (16 species)

Internationally endangered wild animal and plant species (26 species)

Branta hutchinsii leucopareia (Cackling Goose) Ciconia boyciana (Stork) Japanese Crested Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) Columba janthina nitens (Red-headed Wood Pigeon) Aquila chrysaetos japonica (Golden Eagle) Haliaeetus albicilla albicilla (White-tailed Eagle) Haliaeetus pelagicus (Steller's Sea Eagle) Nisaetus nipalensis orientalis (Mountain Hawk-eagle) Grus japonensis (Red-crowned Crane) Platalea minor (Black-faced Spoonbill) Takydromus dorsalis (Sakishima Grass Lizard) Hynobius tokyoensis (Tokyo Salamander) Cybister chinensis (Diving Beetle) Cybister rugosus (Dytiscus Diving Beetle) Kirkaldyia deyrolli (Giant Water Bug) Mandarina hirasei (Land Snail)

Anser indicus (Bar-headed Goose) Grus leucogeranus (Siberian Crane) Grus vipio (White-naped Crane) Oryx dammah (Scimitar-horned Oryx) Ailurus fulgens (Red Panda) Canis lupus (wolf) Acinonyx jubatus (Cheetah) Panthera leo (Lion) Panthera tigris (tiger) Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) Aonyx cinereus (Oriental Small-clawed Otter) Ursus thibetanus (Asian Black Bear) Bettongia penicillata (Brush-tailed Rat Kangaroo) Equus grevyi (Grevy's Zebra) Equus przewalskii (Przewalski's Horse) Rhinoceros unicornis (Greater One-horned Rhinoceros) Tapirus indicus (Malayan Tapir) Pan troglodytes (Chimpanzee) Pongo pygmaeus (orangutan) Hylobates lar (White-handed Gibbon) Elephas maximus (Asian Elephant) Loxodonta africana (African Bush Elephant) Geronticus eremita (Northern Bald Ibis) Lophophorus impejanus (Himalayan Monal) Lophura edwardsi (Edward's Pheasant) Polyplectron napoleonis (Palawan Peacock Pheasant)

*The scientific and common names of the species are based on the "species names of rare wild animals and plants handled at the zoo or botanical garden" as certified by this application.

From the Ministry of the Environment website
・ About the Certified Rare Species Conservation Zoo and Botanical Garden System
・ Overview of the "Species Conservation Law" (Law Concerning the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

(March 23, 2025)