On February 8, 2012, a truck arrived at Ueno Zoo in the twilight. In the back of the truck was a single transport box about the height of a person. "He" was sitting inside, surprisingly quietly.

The deer that arrived was "Q," a 1-year-11-month-old male Ezo Sika Deer deer raised at Kushiro City Zoo.

On January 27, 2012, Ton, Ezo Sika Deer, passed away at the East Garden deer exhibit. She was 17 years old. Q came to Ueno Zoo as Ton's successor.

Q's hometown is Teshikaga Town in Hokkaido, a town famous for Lake Mashu, located on the eastern side of Hokkaido.

In June 2010, Q was rescued a few days after birth in the town's "900 Grassland" and raised at Kushiro City Zoo. The name Q comes from the name of this grassland. Perhaps because of her upbringing, she has a very friendly personality.

Q made his debut in the exhibit area on March 22, 2012. He cautiously and nervously began walking around the exhibit area, checking his footing and sniffing the air. His steps were unsteady, and he was hesitant. But his caution only lasted at the beginning. As expected of someone who grew up in an outdoor facility, within 30 minutes he was having a blast. He was playing with the log playground equipment and going to see Japanese Serow next door. He was so boisterous that he could put a wild horse to shame. That day, I witnessed for the first time the energy and adaptability of young Q.

[Q's debut video at the showroom]
　Windows Media format　QuickTime format

As for Nagi, Japanese Serow was Q's neighbor at the time, her body had stretched to about 1.5 times its usual size, and her eyes were wide open as if they couldn't be opened any further, as she stared at Q with all her might.

Photo above: Appearing timidly
Photo: "Q" having fun with a log.
Photo below: Meeting a Japanese serow

[Fumie Saito, Animal Care and Exhibition Staff, Ueno Zoo East Garden]

(May 4, 2012)