Ueno Zoo will be holding a Panda Day event!
event
September 17, 2026
Ueno Zoo designated October 28th as "Panda Day" in 2012, commemorating the arrival of Japan's first Giant Panda, "Lan Lan" and "Kan Kan," on October 28, 1972.
To commemorate "Panda Day," we will be holding a lecture reflecting on the efforts to raise Giant Panda at Ueno Zoo, as well as an event introducing animals that share the same habitat as pandas. We encourage you to participate.
Panda Day Commemorative Lecture: "The Journey – 15 Years with Ri Ri and Shin Shin"
Panda Day Commemorative Lecture: "The Journey – 15 Years with Ri Ri and Shin Shin"
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the China Wildlife Conservation Association signed a cooperation agreement in 2010 to jointly advance the "Giant Panda Breeding Research Project." As this project, which began on February 21, 2011, concluded on February 20, 2026, we reflect on the 15 years of work involved.
October 25, 2026 (Sunday) 13:30-16:00
Ueno Zoo Management Office, 3rd Floor Conference Room
*Further details will be sent via email to the winners.
Anyone can participate.
*This content is intended for upper elementary school students and older.
100 people
*Advance registration required
free
<About online streaming>
On the day of the event, we will also be live-streaming it on Tokyo Zoo Net YouTube channel. Additionally, we plan to archive the recording and make it available for streaming at a later date.
Both are available for anyone to watch.
Details regarding the live stream and recorded archive will be announced at a later date.
〇 Viewers are responsible for their own communication charges.
Content
<Lecture 1: "The History of Giant Panda Breeding Research Project">
Jin Suzuki (Head of Animal Care and Exhibition Department, Ueno Zoo)
On July 26, 2010, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the China Wildlife Conservation Association signed a "Cooperation Agreement for the Implementation of Giant Panda Conservation and Research." Based on this agreement, Giant Panda "Ri Ri" and "Shin Shin" arrived at the zoo on February 21, 2011. This article looks back on the 15 years leading up to February 20, 2026, and what was undertaken in this project and how it progressed.
<Lecture 2: "Why are they all pandas so different? – The differences between pandas up to Ling Ling and those of Ri Ri and Shin Shin">
Hiroshi Kuramochi (Chief Ueno Zoo Care and Exhibition Officer, West West Garden)
A former zookeeper who was involved in the care of "Lin Ling" and "Shuan Shuan" will talk about the challenges of caring for pandas and the unchanging cuteness of pandas. He will share insights from the perspective of a former zookeeper, such as what he learned about panda care by watching veteran animal keeper, how he applied his past experience and lessons learned to introduce new Giant Panda after "Lin Ling's" death, and the difficult experiences he had after welcoming "Ri Ri" and "Shin Shin," whom he thought he had welcomed with great care.
<Lecture 3: "A Veterinarian's Reflection on the Past 15 Years">
Yuzo Hirano (Chief of the Animal Hospital Ueno Zoo)
From the perspective of a veterinarian who has been involved on-site from before the arrival of "Ri Ri" and "Shin Shin" to the return of "Xiao Xiao" and "Lei Lei," we look back on 15 years of Ueno's pandas.
<Lecture 4: "15 Years with Giant Panda- Project Results and the Future of Zoos">
Keishi Saito (Chief of Management Strategy Section, General Affairs Department Tokyo Zoological Park Society)
A former zookeeper involved in Giant Panda breeding research project will share the story of the two pandas that came from China, the results achieved, and the role that zoos should aim for in the future.
How to Apply
Please apply using the registration form as follows.
Please configure your spam filter and email software to allow emails from @tokyo-zoo.net and @kintoneapp.com to be received.
*Please pay special attention if you are applying via mobile phone.
If you do not receive an automatic reply email after applying, please contact Ueno Zoo Education and Outreach Section.
Ueno Zoo Education and Outreach Section: 03-3828-5171 (Main number)
*Reception hours are from 9:30 to 17:00
Valid for messages sent until 23:59 on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Those who are late for the meeting time may not be able to participate.
Create a stamp rally with friends Panda Forest Panda Forest!
Create a stamp rally with friends Panda Forest Panda Forest!
Currently, West Garden 's "Panda Forest" does not house Giant Panda, but it does exhibit Red Panda and pheasants, which inhabit the same high-altitude regions of China as pandas. Why not take this opportunity on Panda Day to pay attention to the creatures that live in the same land as pandas?
October 20th (Tuesday) - November 1st (Sunday), 2026
*While supplies last
West Garden Panda Forest
Anyone can participate.
The content is intended for elementary school students.
Publication of the book "Trajectory - 15 Years with Lili Xingxing -"
Publication of the book "Trajectory - 15 Years with Lili Xingxing -"
We will be publishing a book that traces the 15-year breeding research project we undertook with "Li Li" and "Shin Shin," accompanied by photographs.
Late October 2026 (planned)
East Garden Little Trunk
West Garden Petit Chameleon
It will also be available for purchase on the online store TOKYO ZOO SHOP.
2,200 yen (tax included)