Ueno Ueno Zoo currently houses three Asian Elephant in the "Elephant Forest" area of East Garden. We have now begun preparations to switch the elephant care method from "direct care" to "semi-indirect care."

The purpose of this change is to make elephant health management and care operations safer for both animal keeper and the elephants themselves.

"Semi-indirect rearing" is a method of animal care that falls between "direct rearing," which involves direct contact with animals, and "indirect rearing" (such as rearing dangerous animals), which involves no contact with animals at all, when caring for or managing the health of animals. It is implemented while ensuring the safety of staff members with fences or other barriers.


Construction work on the elephant enclosure in the "Elephant Forest Live" (May-August 2021)
First, a hydraulic door will be installed to divide the enclosure into two sections. Then, a "Protected Contact Wall" (PC Wall) will be added to the sleeping area for semi-indirect enclosure. The PC Wall will allow animal keeper to safely conduct various training sessions with the elephants. Providing appropriate care without stressing the elephants will also contribute to improved animal welfare.

Construction on the enclosure has already been completed, and the outdoor exhibit for Asian Elephant reopened on Thursday, August 12th. However, from Wednesday, August 25th, the elephants are practicing entering the indoor enclosure through a different entrance, so they may not be visible in the outdoor enclosure at times.

Furthermore, construction on the sleeping quarters is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 13th. As a result, Asian Elephant exhibit will be as follows. We will inform you of any further changes, so please pay attention to the exhibit times when you visit the elephants.

About Asian Elephant Exhibit

Exhibition Hours 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
*Exhibition times may change depending on the weather and the condition of the animals.

Exhibition location East Garden" Elephant Forest" enclosure
*The indoor exhibits will be closed due to construction.

Viewing Instructions Free admission

Precautions　　

1. Even during exhibition hours, the exhibition may be closed due to reasons such as the animal's health condition.
2. Please cooperate by being considerate of others during busy times.
3. Views through glass may be difficult to see due to sunlight reflection and other factors.
4. From the perspective of preventing the spread of infectious diseases, we ask that you please avoid creating crowded conditions and be considerate of others while viewing the exhibits.

(May 14, 2021)
(June 1, 2021: Added information about the exhibition)
(August 5, 2021: Added information regarding the reopening of the exhibition)
(August 25, 2021: Added information about practice after construction is complete)
(September 9, 2021: Text revised, information about the exhibition starting September 10 added)
(September 11, 2021: Added information about exhibition hours)
(November 9, 2021: Corrected the note regarding exhibition hours)
(November 30, 2021: Added information about the extension of the construction period)