Have you seen the special exhibition "Mysterious Birds - The World of Shoebill" that began on June 1st, 2007, at Zoo Pocket in West Garden of Ueno Ueno Zoo (next to the Zoo Hall)? The impetus for planning this special exhibition was the visit of Ambassador Waswa Biligwa of the Ugandan Embassy in Japan. The Ambassador met with director Teruyuki Komiya and said that the number of Shoebill in Uganda is declining due to population growth and environmental destruction, and that he wanted to take action to protect Shoebill 's habitat. Ueno Zoo, which currently houses and exhibits five Shoebill, agreed with the Ambassador's appeal and decided to cooperate.

In fact, Shoebill experienced a quiet boom a few years ago. Their strange, motionless appearance and somewhat frightening yet endearing faces made them popular, attracting attention as "creepy-cute." However, little was said about the natural environment in which Shoebill live in the wild, how they live, or their mysterious ecology.

Taking this opportunity, we have planned a special exhibition to reintroduce the ecology and charm of Shoebill, and to allow visitors to take a closer look at our own Shoebill while learning about the nature and current situation of their habitat in Africa. The exhibition includes materials provided by the Ugandan Embassy, as well as precious photographs of wild Shoebill taken by Japanese residents in the area. The graceful appearance of wild Shoebill standing in the wetlands is a must-see!

In this exhibition, along with a message from Ambassador Biligwa, we are calling for your support for the "Shoebill Relief Fund" in one corner of the venue. We will be selling Shoebill stork plush toys and mascots based on spirits worshipped in Uganda, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the "Shoebill Relief Fund."

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 2, 2007, the second day of the special exhibition, Ambassador Biligwa visited the zoo and toured the exhibition hall with director Komiya. While being interviewed by television and newspaper reporters, the ambassador and director toured the exhibition hall together, passionately speaking to reporters about their feelings regarding Shoebill conservation. The ambassador was a very friendly person, happily purchasing Shoebill plush toys and mascots himself, and in front of Shoebill enclosure, he spoke to Shoebill as if he had met a long-lost friend from his homeland.

About 10 days have passed since the special exhibition began, and we have received a great response from the general public, Shoebill fans, and supporters, so the exhibition seems to be quite popular. The exhibition will run until Saturday, June 30th. We hope that many people will come and reflect on the life of Shoebill stork and its homeland.

[Keiko Sugimoto, Education and Outreach Section, Ueno Ueno Zoo]

(June 10, 2007)