On March 10, 2006, three female Collared Peccary arrived at Ueno Zoo from Izu Shaboten Park. They were born on September 29, 2002, September 22, 2004, and August 20, 2005, respectively.

Now that their health checks and other preparations are complete, we are moving forward with preparations for the full exhibition, but in fact, you can already see them! And that is... not under Aesop's Bridge, as some rumors on the internet suggested, but at the bison enclosure as planned.

If you go around the building to the left of American Bison enclosure in East Garden, you'll find the bison's sleeping quarters. We've placed Collared Peccary in the room next to it. The two rooms are separated by a wall, but we plan to gradually acclimate the bison and peccaries by allowing them to see each other. Furthermore, we'll alternate between the two species in the enclosure, and eventually, we'll even have a mixed exhibit!

Peccaries are even-toed ungulates that resemble Wild Boar. Currently, there is no explanatory sign, so we have heard some people ask, "Is this a baby American Bison? Or is it Wild Boar?" but sorry, it is Collared Peccary. It belongs to the family Peccariidae, not the family Wild Boar boars). Wild Boar have canine teeth in their upper jaw that extend outwards, but in peccaries they normally extend downwards.

Collared Peccary is an animal that lives from southern North America to northern Argentina. The name "peccary" seems to originate from a Caribbean language. It has a gland on its back that secretes an oily substance, which resembles a "navel," and is sometimes called the "Wild Boar." The "collar" refers to the band-like pattern that runs from its shoulder to its chest.

Currently, they may be a little difficult to see, but if you can't find them, please look to the right of the enclosure. They don't seem to be afraid of people, and according to the zookeepers, "They come right up to your feet." They get startled by even the slightest noise, but they quickly come over to the zookeepers. They also come out into the viewing area, so please take your time to observe them.

​Izu Cactus Park

(March 31, 2006)