Japan has so many things to offer her visitors and for those who are animal lovers, there is also something for you. The Asahiyama Zoo is located in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan. It is also the most popular zoo in all of the country. So why are people flocking to this zoo?
The animals of course! And the zoo has taken things one step further. According to Japan Now:
In the past, Japanese zoos focused on displaying only the animal’s figure. But Asahiyama Zoo started to design its facilities so that the animal’s habits and behavior can be seen as well.
The animals’ natural behaviors can be observed at a number of very innovative facilities. For example, at the penguin aquarium, there is an underwater tunnel where the swimming penguins look like they are flying in the air. You can also watch them eat underwater during the feeding sessions that feature scuba diving. The orangutan facility measures more than 10 meters high and is filled with rock-climbing walls, oversized hammocks, and ropes. This design provides a great setting for you to watch the tree-dwelling orangutans show off their skills.
Though this concept is not all that new – there are many zoos in other countries with a similar set up. In Japan, however, the Asahiyama Zoo has done it best. I was browsing their web site and I just couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement as I saw the pictures and descriptions. Here is my favorite.
I want to see how a polar bear swims!
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Posted September 26th, 2008 by Maki | Comment (1)
“Asahiyama Zoo started to design its facilities so that the animal’s habits and behavior can be seen as well.”
Does this mean that the animal is actually able to behave more naturally and live well, too? The Higashiyama Koen Zoo here literally made a friend of mine cry because the conditions were so apalling. She showed me the pictures and I could not believe that there are still such zoos in this day and age. The Japanese we were at dinner with didn’t know what we were talking about and said it was a normal zoo.
Hopefully this zoo is setting an example.