Report on participation in the "Turning Thoughts into Reality: GPS Art Project to Support Rock Ptarmigan- Part 1"

Rock Ptarmigan is a bird of the pheasant family that in Japan only inhabits the high mountain range of the Japanese Alps. Its population is declining due to the effects of global warming and other factors, and it is now endangered.

Therefore, Ueno Zoo has been participating in the Ministry of the Environment's ex-situ conservation project for Rock Ptarmigan since 2015, working on the breeding, rearing, and public awareness campaigns regarding the conservation of Japanese Rock Ptarmigan. This report details an event utilizing GPS art that was recently held around Ueno Zoo by the Ministry of the Environment and other organizations, in which Ueno Zoo staff also participated.

GPS art is an art form that uses the tracking function of Kawakawa and GPS devices to create letters and illustrations on a map based on the route traveled. It can be enjoyed using various modes of transportation such as walking and running. This time, as a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about Rock Ptarmigan conservation, we have drawn the shape of Rock Ptarmigan on a map in the areas surrounding zoos involved in Rock Ptarmigan conservation.

On May 9, 2026, a two-hour walking course was conducted East Garden of Ueno Zoo, starting in front of the Rock Ptarmigan exhibit in "Birds of Japan I," with a total of 16 participants including members of the GPS Art Association and Ueno Zoo staff. First, participants set up Kawakawa app for creating GPS art and then observed real Rock Ptarmigan in the exhibit.

I walked from Main Gate Ueno Zoo to Kan'ei-ji Temple, where I walked in a small circle to draw the eyes and crest (the red, fleshy ornament above the eyes) of Rock Ptarmigan. After that, I drew the lines from Rock Ptarmigan 's back to its tail around Tokyo University of the Arts and Nezu Station, and then, after re-entering Ueno Zoo Zoo through the Ikenohata Gate, I drew Rock Ptarmigan 's legs.

There are a total of 10 points along the route, and at each location, a quiz about Rock Ptarmigan will be presented. Participants will stop, think about the answer to the quiz, and then start walking again. If they answer the quiz correctly, they will receive a stamp.

Finally, I left the Benten Gate of Ueno Zoo, passed around the Ueno Seiyoken area, and returned to Main Gate Ueno Zoo. This completes the GPS art of Rock Ptarmigan. Once you reach the goal, you can download the recorded image from the app.

When we spoke to the participants, some had seen wild Rock Ptarmigan while hiking, but others didn't know much about Rock Ptarmigan. However, by walking together with Rock Ptarmigan as a common theme, the participants' communication deepened, and we felt that they became more familiar with and interested in Rock Ptarmigan.

In some areas where Rock Ptarmigan habitats have been successfully managed, an increase in Rock Ptarmigan population has been observed. Moving forward, raising awareness among more people about the current situation surrounding Rock Ptarmigan and its relationship to our lives will contribute to the conservation of Rock Ptarmigan and other endangered species.

This first event, dubbed "Phase 1," mainly involved members of the GPS Art Association and zoo staff. However, we plan to hold "Phase 2" around October of this year, an event open to the general public. Through the "Turning Thoughts into Reality: Supporting Rock Ptarmigan with GPS Art Project," which allows you to participate in Rock Ptarmigan conservation even far from their habitat, we encourage everyone to take a step towards Rock Ptarmigan conservation.

[Ueno Zoo East Garden Animal Care and Exhibition Staff]