We are moving Eastern Black Rhinoceros "Argo" (Added April 27th)

Ueno Zoological Gardens is promoting its animal care and exhibition plan based on the Second Tokyo Metropolitan Zoological Gardens Master Plan. We would like to inform you that we will be returning "Argo," an Eastern Eastern Black Rhinoceros which we had been borrowing from Yokohama Municipal Kanazawa Zoological Gardens (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture).

Migratory Eastern Black Rhinoceros

Planned moving date

Around autumn 2026

Destination

Yokohama Municipal Kanazawa Zoo (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

background

Currently, Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums are working to improve animal welfare and enhance the appeal of their exhibits from a medium- to long-term perspective, based on the Second Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo Master Plan. In the Ueno Zoological Gardens Promotion Plan under this Master Plan, Eastern Black Rhinoceros is designated as a species whose keeping and exhibiting will be gradually discontinued. Therefore, we have decided to return "Argo," Eastern Black Rhinoceros that we had been borrowing, to Yokohama Municipal Kanazawa Zoo.

Regarding future exhibitions

Added on April 27, 2026:
Due to construction on the outdoor exhibit, Black Rhinoceros had been on display indoors only. However, now that the construction to install the transport crates in the outdoor exhibit is complete, we will begin training them to get used to the transport crates starting Tuesday, April 28th. Argo and Maro (male) will be released into the outdoor exhibit one at a time, alternating between the two.
Please note that the exhibit may be canceled at short notice depending on the animals' condition.

Currently, the outdoor Black Rhinoceros exhibit in West Garden is under construction, so Eastern Black Rhinoceros is only on display indoors.

After the construction is complete, the two Eastern Eastern Black Rhinoceros will be exhibited alternately in only one of the outdoor exhibit areas.

The other outdoor exhibit area will be closed as it will be used to set up transport crates for training purposes in preparation for relocation. The outdoor exhibit is scheduled to reopen around mid-April.

Animal care status at Ueno Zoo (as of March 26, 2026)

Two animals (one male, one female) *This includes "Argo," who will be moving this time.

Domestic breeding situation (as of December 31, 2024)

11 zoos, 21 animals (9 males, 12 females)
Source: Domestic Pedigree Registry [Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums]