Zoo Stock Species and the Red List

Zoo Stock

This indicates that the species is included in the Second Zoo Stock Plan, which was formulated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2018. The plan sets goals for the next 10 years in three areas: "species conservation," "contribution to wildlife conservation," and "environmental education and conservation awareness." 124 animal species are included.

What is the Red List?

Based on scientific research, this is a list of wildlife classified by rank (category) indicating the degree of risk of extinction.
Livng Things Encyclopedia shows the categories (mainland and islands) assessed by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) at the global level, the Ministry of the Environment for Japan, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for Tokyo.

The higher the category in each table, the higher the risk of extinction, and CR, EN, and VU are the three categories known as "endangered species." In Tokyo, species that are not at the NT (near threatened) level but are relatively rare are considered "species of concern."

IUCN categories
EX	extinction
EW	Extinction in the wild
CR+EN	—
CR	Serious crisis
EN	crisis
VU	emergency
NT	Near Threatened
LC・○	Low Concern
DD	Data shortage
LP	—

Japan (Ministry of the Environment) Category
EX	extinction
EW	Extinction in the wild
CR+EN	Endangered species
CR	Critically Endangered
EN	Endangered species
VU	Endangered species
NT	Near Threatened
LC・○	—
DD	Lack of information
LP	Endangered local population

Tokyo Category
EX	extinction
EW	Extinction in the wild
CR+EN	Endangered species
CR	Critically Endangered
EN	Endangered species
VU	Endangered species
NT	Near Threatened
LC・○	Unranked
DD	Lack of information
LP	Endangered local population

Creatures at Ueno Zoo

Miyako Grass Lizard
Takydromus toyamai

This is a species endemic to Japan, found only on the Miyako Islands of Okinawa Prefecture. It grows quickly, sometimes laying eggs about three months after hatching. It looks very similar to the Japanese green lizard found in Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami Islands, and was previously thought to be the same species, but DNA testing revealed that they are different species.

classification	Reptilia, Squamata, Lacertidae
English name	Miyako Grass Lizard
distribution	Japan (Miyako Island, Irabu Island, Shimoji Island of the Miyako Islands)
Residence	Flatlands to mountainous areas, mainly bushes, grasslands, and cultivated land
Size	Total length: 16-22cm Head torso length: 4.5-6cm Tail length: 11.5-16cm
food	Insects and spiders
Red List	IUCN: EN (crisis) Japan: EN (Endangered)

Ueno Zoo exhibition area

Ueno Zoo-Vivarium

Conservation activities at Ueno Zoo

Their numbers have been declining due to predation by invasive species and over-hunting for pets. Ueno Zoo introduced 14 of them in 2017 for conservation purposes, and since confirming hatching in June 2018, they have been successfully breeding continuously.