Tama Zoo keeps two Water Buffalo: "Maru" (female, 10 years old) and "Kokichi" (male, 5 years old). In May 2021, in Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture (Iriomote Island) Yubu IslandYubujima Visitors from Yes, we did. Previously, we let both dogs out into the exercise area together, but since December 2022, we have been letting them out one at a time, alternating between the morning and afternoon. This time, I will explain the reason for this change.

Maru eating fresh grass in the enclosure.	Kokichi eating fresh grass in the enclosure.

Water Buffalo are "year-round breeding animals" that can become pregnant and give birth regardless of the season. If males and females are kept together, there is always a possibility of pregnancy. However, the environment in which Water Buffalo are kept at Tama Zoo is not necessarily suitable for giving birth throughout the year.

Yubu Island, the home of the two calves, has an average annual temperature of around 25°C and enjoys a mild climate throughout the year. On the other hand, Hino City, where Tama Zoo is located, experiences days below freezing in winter, which could affect the health of the mother and calves. Therefore, we are considering the timing of bringing them together so that the birth can occur during a relatively warm period, similar to that on Yubu Island. Calculating backward from the gestation period (approximately 300 days), we are planning to have them live together around July 2023.

In addition, I am also preparing for pregnancy and childbirth.

The first is the regular weight measurement of our female cat, Maru. We measure her weight once a month. On March 29, 2023, her weight was 558.5 kg.

The second thing is practicing ultrasound examinations. In my previous post, I mentioned that I started practicing ultrasound examinations in preparation for when Maru becomes pregnant, and the practice has gone smoothly, and I can now perform ultrasound examinations!


"Maru" during ultrasound examination practice
Maru has given birth on Yubu Island before. If Maru becomes pregnant again, we believe she will be a good mother. We, animal keeper, will continue to prepare so that Maru can give birth in a safe and comfortable environment.

[Tama Zoo Tama Zoological Park]

(April 21, 2023)