Added on April 18, 2025:Pon, Hokkaido Brown Bear, has been undergoing training to be released into the wild since March 24, 2025, and since his health is stable, he will be put back on display from April 18.
Added on March 25, 2025:The animal is currently on medication and its condition is stable. It has also started to stand on its hind legs to eat again. We have made improvements to the enclosure to reduce the strain on its legs, such as making the steps gentler and adding bark chips to the flat areas.
We have been conducting release training sessions since March 24th in preparation for reopening the exhibit.
Since management will continue with medication, information may be kept confidential depending on the patient's condition and circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.
Changes to the exhibits will be announced via our zoo's
X (formerly Twitter) account and other channels.
Added on March 3, 2025:On February 20th, various tests, including X-rays, were performed under anesthesia.
As a result, the deformation of the joints in both wrists was slightly advanced, and findings suggestive of an anterior cruciate ligament injury were observed in the right hind leg. In addition, severe inflammation was found in the right hind leg.
Currently, treatment involving medication and rest is necessary, so we resumed Pon's treatment the day after the examination. The medication is now working, and his symptoms have subsided.
To allow the animal to rest for a while, we will continue to keep it indoors only and will suspend its exhibition.
Added on February 11, 2025:We will be conducting an inspection in the near future, so the exhibit of Hokkaido Brown Bear "Pon" will be suspended from Tuesday, February 11th.
Hokkaido Brown Bear, has shown significant signs of decreased vitality and arthritis since the beginning of this year.
In September 2023, tests revealed suspected chronic pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as mild joint deformities. Therefore, I have been maintaining my health through medication.
Since then, her condition has stabilized and improved, so we have been gradually reducing her medication dosage since December 2024. This is because medications have side effects, and considering the long-term effects on the body, it is desirable to maintain the lowest possible dosage.
However, since around mid-January 2025, symptoms such as increased resting time and avoidance of standing on only the hind legs have frequently appeared, and in the last few days the sluggishness has become more pronounced, so we have now resumed medication at the original dosage.
We are planning to conduct an examination under anesthesia in the near future. In preparation for the examination, we will gradually reduce the dosage of medication to eliminate any effects, and will eventually stop it completely. However, we will resume administering any necessary medication after the examination. We anticipate that the animal's movements may become even more sluggish, so we may have to suspend the exhibit even before the examination takes place. We appreciate your understanding.
Changes to the exhibits will be announced via our zoo's
X (formerly Twitter) account and other channels.
(February 10, 2025)
(February 11, 2025: Added information regarding the cancellation of the exhibition)
(March 3, 2025: Status update)
(March 25, 2025: Status update)
(April 18, 2025: Added information regarding the reopening of the exhibition)
