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," meaning animal care). It was established in 2009 by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Association of Zoos and Aquariums with the aim of encouraging people to take an interest in zoos and aquariums through the work of animal keeper.
Since this year, Tokyo Metropolitan zoos and aquariums (Ueno Zoo, Tama Zoo Inokashira Park Zoo, and Tokyo Sea Life Park) have been holding 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!
"Animal welfare" refers to the physical and psychological condition of individual animals. Ueno Ueno Zoo aims to contribute to biodiversity conservation by promoting initiatives to improve animal welfare.
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 locate the item panel 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.
Pet care talk
animal keeper will give a presentation about "Animal Welfare Initiatives" (approximately 5-10 minutes).
10:30 Asian Elephant
10:30 Polar Bear
1:15 PM Western Lowland Gorilla
14:00 Birds of Japan I
The event has been cancelled due to rain.
10:30 Asian Elephant
10:30 Polar Bear
10:30 Polar Bear
10:30 Asian Elephant
15:00 Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur
The event has been cancelled due to rain.
2:30 PM Prairie Dog
Red Panda talk scheduled for Thursday, May 21st has been cancelled due to rain.
(March 12, 2026)
(April 23, 2026)
(May 2, 2026: Added May content to the Pet Care Day talk)
(June 1, 2026: Regarding the extension of the period)