Yokohama, Japan
Yokohama Zoo or Zoorasia opened its doors in 1999, and is one of the biggest zoos in Japan. At 53 hectares, or slightly over 100 acres, it is a lush, green facility made up of seven different ecological areas: Asian Tropical Forest, Oceanian Grassland, Central Asian Highland, Japanese Countryside, Amazon Jungle, and African Tropical Rainforest. Each of the seven areas has been carefully designed to look and feel just as they do in nature, weaving in the unique atmosphere of each ecological niche. The entire place reflects “Symbioses of Nature”, the underlying main theme decided at the inception of the park. As you enter the park, binoculars are available near the entrance if a guest wants a closer look at some of the inhabitants.
The zoo has fewer animals relative to other zoos its size, with roughly 1500 creatures from 150 species, 38 of whom are endangered. This means more room for each of the animals that call the zoo home, and there are plenty of fascinating and funny creatures to see. It also allows for open, meandering walking spaces for the more 10 million guests that come through the gates each year. There are also themes of the history of the human animal to be found throughout the park, including stone tools and other archaeological items from various cultures around the world.
One of the most impressive parts of the zoo is the Chimpanzee Forest, which opened in 2009. Huge trees and edible vegetation weave along the “cliffsides” where the chimps run and play, but nothing obscures the view of their antics. Often, the chimps will be eating various greens just feet away from guests (separated by glass, of course), allowing a very close-up viewing experience. It is one of the favorite exhibits, and a guest can pass an hour watching the troop of chimps that call Zoorasia home.
Of course, there are many of the expected occupants at “Zoorasia”, from elephants to bears, proboscis monkeys and the zoo’s unofficial mascot, the okapi. Okapi is a quiet forest animal from Africa that is the only creature related to the giraffe, and it is gravely endangered from both hunting and habitat loss. Breeding okapi is a conservation endeavor of the zoo, with the first okapi birth in any Japanese zoo in 2001.
Underwater viewing of polar bears and penguins is possible in the “Oceanian Grassland” portion of the zoo. In the Asian Tropical Forest area, there are Sumatran Tigers, clouded leopards, ocelots and a rare, small wild cat called a Tsushima, or leopard cat. Not much larger than a domestic cat, this furry creature is distantly related to the leopard and it covered with soft fur and spots.
Zoorasia is a very child friendly place, and there are numerous educational keeper talks throughout the day, which include the opportunity to hear stories about their experiences, hand feeding of some of the animals, and maybe the chance to touch a new exotic friend. The zoo also offers different educational events, including ocean touch tanks, animal related art activities, and various other celebrations.
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