Ueno Zoo currently houses four Sumatran Tiger: two males and two females.

Until March 2014, there was a male named "Kunde," but he was moved to Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya City for breeding purposes. And now, a male named "Keahi" has arrived, who came from Honolulu Zoo in Hawaii and was being kept at Yagiyama Zoological Park in Sendai City.

Keahi arrived at Ueno Zoo by land from Sendai on May 19, 2014. However, she wasn't immediately placed in the enclosure with the other tigers. First, she underwent quarantine at an animal hospital to confirm that she was free of pathogens before being brought into her enclosure. The reason animals cannot be immediately put on public display upon arrival is to ensure maximum safety through quarantine.

On June 2nd, the quarantine was completed and Keahi was moved into the enclosure. After being brought in, Keahi was released into the enclosure sooner than expected. At first glance, she seemed like a quiet and cautious individual, but she adapted to the environment quickly and seemed to be more adaptable than the other animals. She was a little timid at first, but she handled the transition between the sleeping area and the enclosure smoothly, and although we had planned for about a month, we were able to make her available to the public in about 20 days.

Currently, Keahi is calm and has a healthy appetite, which is a great relief. Yagiyama Zoological Park has a track record of successful breeding, and he is friendly towards females, so he has a promising future. In the future, we plan to pair him with a female that is currently in captivity and proceed with the breeding plan. We would appreciate your support for Keahi's future endeavors.

Sumatran Tiger is critically endangered, with only about 300 individuals remaining in the wild. The number of tigers kept in zoos is also small, with only 14 in Japan. In Kawakawa, their natural habitat, deforestation is progressing rapidly, meaning that even if their population increases, there will be no suitable habitat. Zoos play a vital role in maintaining and breeding the tiger population, as well as in raising awareness about the plight of tigers and other animals. When you visit, we hope you will not only "see" the animals, but also reflect on their habitats and other aspects of their lives based on their behavior and appearance, and develop an interest in their current situation.

Photo above: The scene on the day the tigers were safely moved into the enclosure.
Photo below: Keahi, who was released into the enclosure for the first time.

[Sotaro Kawakami, Animal Care and Exhibition Staff, East Ueno Zoo, Ueno East Garden]

(July 4, 2014)