Asahiyama Zoo Asahiyama Zoo Chimpanzees

T

Tomoko Kitamura

Active Member
Takeru, a chimpanzee at Asahiyama Zoo in Japan, was bitten to death on April 2nd after being exposed to violence from his peers for three months. He was a kind young man of 18 years old.
This zoo is located in a cold region. They are under a lot of stress because they can't go outside during the winter. Many babies are also sacrificed, but keepers leave them alone and put them on display.
What can we, as ordinary citizens, do?
 
Not really sure, but I do think that outdoor access to primates, especially great apes is quite essential to their livelihood. I just don't understand why a northernly zoo would keep great apes in my opinion.
 
Thank you for your reply.

In your country, do you not raise chimpanzees in cold regions? What kind of organization makes such regulations?

The Japanese government and JAZA do not have animal welfare regulations.
 
Tomoko Kitamura said:
Thank you for your reply.

In your country, do you not raise chimpanzees in cold regions? What kind of organization makes such regulations?

The Japanese government and JAZA do not have animal welfare regulations.
Click to expand...
No zoo or any animal facility in Hong Kong exhibits chimpanzees, but the zoo’s orangutans have access to 3-4 cages I believe. As far as I’m aware, the HK zoo isn’t accredited.
 
Currently, in some zoos in Japan, chimpanzees are hurting each other and bleeding.Thank you for your reply, as I was very sad.
I think Hong Kong is much southerly and warmer than Japan, but what is the reason for not keeping chimpanzees there? Is it because you have their welfare in mind?
 
Tomoko Kitamura said:
Currently, in some zoos in Japan, chimpanzees are hurting each other and bleeding.Thank you for your reply, as I was very sad.
I think Hong Kong is much southerly and warmer than Japan, but what is the reason for not keeping chimpanzees there? Is it because you have their welfare in mind?
Click to expand...
Me and @aardvark250's local zoo, the HK Zoo although free to enter, has been under scrutiny for its very old fashioned enclosures. The siamang enclosure is way too small for two and the orangutan cages are just metal bars with little enrichment to offer. The zoo has no space for chimpanzees and prioritizes their star attraction, the orangutans more.
 
For chimpanzees, the problems in your country's facilities can be said to be happiness.

A few days ago, there was a bloodshed in Zoorasia, where most of the chimpanzees were injured. It's very sad and pathetic.

At most zoos in Japan, chimpanzees are kept in large communities rather than small parties, which leaves many of them injured and suffering. I would like to know what other countries are doing.
 
I'm not sure if weather is really a main issue? Lots of zoos in higher latitude than Asahiyama do keep chimps and other great apes fine. Maybe the large troop size and the lack of separation are the bigger issues (also seems like the lack of qualified keeper?)
 
zoogeekmaelstrom said:
Me and @aardvark250's local zoo, the HK Zoo although free to enter, has been under scrutiny for its very old fashioned enclosures. The siamang enclosure is way too small for two and the orangutan cages are just metal bars with little enrichment to offer. The zoo has no space for chimpanzees and prioritizes their star attraction, the orangutans more.
Click to expand...
There's 0 reasons to @ me in this context.
 
thank you for the message. I was very impressed when I heard that chimpanzees have been successfully raised even in cold regions, and that Japanese zoos, which continue to cause fatal accidents, have large groups and lack of isolation as major problems. I found it enlightening.

In Japan, it is normal for chimpanzees to hurt each other, and many people think that because they have a strong natural healing power, they are fine and happy even if they get hurt. Zoo keepers likely have the same understanding when caring for chimpanzees.

In fact, in many zoos, chimpanzees hurt each other, and even if no one is killed, bloodshed continues. Their bodies are full of scars.

Kumamoto Sanctuary is the only sanctuary in Japan where animals are raised in a party style with different members every day.

How are chimpanzees kept during the winter in cold countries? Do you have many large rooms that can be divided into sections？
 
H
Tomoko Kitamura said:
Takeru, a chimpanzee at Asahiyama Zoo in Japan, was bitten to death on April 2nd after being exposed to violence from his peers for three months. He was a kind young man of 18 years old.
This zoo is located in a cold region. They are under a lot of stress because they can't go outside during the winter. Many babies are also sacrificed, but keepers leave them alone and put them on display.
What can we, as ordinary citizens, do?
Click to expand...


Hello this is heartbreaking but this is a few things I think we can do.

1.Email the zoo and let them know you won't be visiting unless things changes for the chimps, including suggestions around what can be done to enrich their lives. While their contact is not in English perhaps someone can advise us who cannot read Japanese how to do so.

2. Report cruelty to PETA Asia: https://www.petaasia.com/about/contact-us/report-cruelty-to-animals/

3. Contact a national or local newspaper, magazine or online outlet and send them the information asking them to cover it. Perhaps someone can advise what these are and we can all email.

4. Contact this chimp sanctuary in Japan asking them to help: Kumamoto Sanctuary, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University - Unique Sanctuary with the Highest Number of Chimpanzees and Bonobos in Japan -

5. Share the issue on social media sites.

6. Review this zoo negatively on travel review sites and on Google.

Any email contacts and further ideas would be great.
 
Ele108! said:
2. Report cruelty to PETA Asia: https://www.petaasia.com/about/contact-us/report-cruelty-to-animals/
Click to expand...
There’s also Wild Welfare which gives users the opportunity to file a report as well. Wild Welfare already is working with Japanese Zoos to improve the conditions of the animals living in Japanese facilities, so they might have a better chance to look into Asahiyama than peta (which to be fair would not be as fair as WW when assessing the situation.)


Ele108! said:
6. Review this zoo negatively on travel review sites and on Google.
Click to expand...
I don’t think reviewbombing is going to be as useful. I can’t put my finger on why, but it just seems wrong.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top