Update on Hokkaido Brown Bear "Pon" (June 21st)

Added on June 21, 2026

Hokkaido Brown Bear "Pon" is in a worsening overall condition and spends most of his time bedridden. His appetite has decreased further, but we continue our efforts to find and provide him with food that he can eat. It is difficult to administer medication mixed with his food, so we are continuing to administer it via blowgun to alleviate his suffering as much as possible. However, unfortunately, there are no signs of improvement in his condition.

Added on June 12, 2026

Pon, Hokkaido Brown Bear whose exhibit has been closed for recuperation, is not in good condition overall and is spending more time resting.

We are giving Pon his favorite foods while monitoring his condition, but his appetite is tending to decrease, making it increasingly difficult to administer his medication mixed with his food.

We are continuing our efforts to restore physical function, and are also trying medication administered via blowgun.

Added on June 3, 2026

Pon, Hokkaido Brown Bear, underwent an anesthetic examination at the zoo on June 1, 2026. There were no obvious abnormalities such as trauma in his right eye, but since the inflammation persists, eye drop treatment will continue.

Due to a decline in physical function, the animal will be recuperating in a non-exhibition area to recover its strength. Therefore, the exhibition will be suspended from Thursday, June 4th until further notice.

Pon, Hokkaido Brown Bear who arrived at Ueno Zoo on February 2, 2006, when she was about two months old, turned 20 this year.

Around February of last year, the animal showed signs of decreased vitality and arthritis, and its exhibition was temporarily suspended. However, it reopened on April 18, 2025.

Since then, there have been no major changes in her physical condition, but since around May 22nd, there has been noticeable discharge from her right eye, and she appears to have lost some of her vitality.

Originally, we have been managing symptoms such as arthritis with medication since last year, but now an eye problem has been added, and since there has been little improvement, we plan to perform an examination under anesthesia on June 1st.

Based on the health condition after the examination, we will carefully consider whether to proceed with the exhibition from the following day onward, and therefore, the exhibition from June 2nd onward may be canceled.