April 19th is Zookeeper Day - Learn about the work of animal keeper!
April 19th is "Animal Care Day," named after the number sequence "419" (which sounds like "shiiku," animal keeper). Established in 2009 by Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the day aims to encourage interest in zoos and aquariums through the work of animal keepers. Since that year, Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums (Ueno Zoo, Tama Zoo Inokashira Park Zoo, and Tokyo Sea Life Park) have held various events related to animal care.
This year's events are as follows. We encourage you to visit the park and participate in the events.
Panel Exhibition "C-Quest ~ A Great Adventure in Animal Welfare"
The 2021 Animal Care Day event, "ShiiQuest," is back in a new form! This year's mission is to "find animal welfare (*) items in each animal enclosure!"
Use the seven "item panels" displayed in each animal enclosure as clues to find the "animal welfare initiatives" in the exhibit! The items are things that animal keeper have prepared to enrich the lives of the animals. How do the items you find help the animals? Let's embark on an adventure to find animal welfare items!
April 14th (Tuesday) - May 31st (Sunday), 2026
East Garden: Asian Elephant, Western Lowland Gorilla, Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Birds of Japan I
West Garden Red Panda, Aye-aye Forest (Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur), Vivarium (Poison dart frogs)
① Check the "Digital Map" on Ueno Zoo official website, or the seven locations where item panels are installed next to Giraffe near the Ikenohata Gate.
② Go and find the "item panels" installed in each animal enclosure.
③ Look for animal welfare "items" within the exhibition hall. Consider how the items you find enrich the lives of the animals.