Message from the Director

Today, April 1, 2021, I assume the position of Director of Tennoji Zoo, a Local Independent Administrative Agency.

I worked at Maruyama Zoo for a total of 18 years as an employee of the City of Sapporo. In my youth I had an amazing experience as a zoo caretaker, caring for and feeding large animals such as elands, Malaysian tapirs and great cats. I have also worked as a clinical veterinarian.

I also worked in animal welfare management administration, serving for four years as Director of the Sapporo Municipal Animal Management Center. In that capacity I established the Sapporo Municipal By-law on Animal Welfare and Management. In wildlife protection and management administration, I drafted the Sapporo Basic Plan for Brown Bears, aimed at fostering coexistence with brown bears (Ursus arctos). I intend to put this experience in animal administration to work at Tennoji Zoo, working diligently and listening carefully to the voices of Osakans.

I warmly invite everyone to come to Tennoji Zoo and meet the animals here. A visit to Tennoji Zoo is also an excellent opportunity to think about the global environment and biodiversity.

In November 2020, a polar-bear cub was born at Tennoji Zoo. The mother bear and cub are charming, so be sure to come and see them.

At the same time, our polar-bear pen has become somewhat superannuated, so we are starting design work on renovations this year. We will be working hard to open the new pen by 2025. Tennoji Zoo is pulling out all the stops to create a fascinating zoo that delights visitors while carefully safeguarding animal welfare.

Although I have been working for many years in the field of animal care, this post is my first as Director of a zoo. With the kind cooperation of the people of Osaka and everyone who visits the zoo, the employees of Tennoji Zoo and I are fully committed to creating a zoo that is kind to both people and animals and is loved by the entire community. We look forward to serving you.

Takeshi Mukai
Director and co-Chair
Osaka Tennoji Zoo

A Local Independent Administrative Agency
April 1, 2021