SAPPORO -- The private North Safari Sapporo, established in this northern Japan city's Minami Ward without permission in an urbanization control area, closes its doors Sept. 30 after 20 years in business. However, concerns remain about the future care and relocation of over 300 animals still there. What happens to animals after a zoo closes?

There are numerous cases where zoos and aquariums have struggled to find new homes for their animals.

When Jozankei Kuma Bokujo (Jozankei bear ranch) in Sapporo's Minami Ward closed in 2004, it had 35 brown bears. The operating company continued to care for them, and two female bears, both now around 25 years old, are still there. The company stated, "We are barely managing to secure funds for food to keep them alive. While cooperation among zoos would be ideal, it is difficult to find new homes for older animals."

Inubosaki Marine Park, an aquarium in Chiba Prefecture that closed in 2018, struggled to find new homes for its dolphin and penguins, leaving the staff to continue looking after them. According to the prefectural government, the dolphin died in 2020, but all the penguins were eventually relocated.

A prefectural official commented, "Marine Park had a hard time finding new homes. Although we provided advice and checked the care environment, as it was a private aquarium, it was difficult for the government to mediate in finding places for the animals to go."

Ensuring the welfare of animals after a zoo closes, when they are no longer under public scrutiny, was another challenge. The revised Act on Welfare and Management of Animals that took effect in 2020 allows local governments to conduct inspections and issue advisories to operating companies for two years after the zoo's first-class animal handling business registration expires.

The Ministry of the Environment's animal welfare and management office explained, "Previously, once its registration had expired, the facility was treated like any general animal owner, making intervention difficult. Now, we can continue supervision after closure to prevent abuse and other problems."

(Japanese original by Karen Goto, Hokkaido News Department)

What happens to the animals after a zoo in Japan closes?