Osaka
05-07-2008
Osaka is right next to Kobe, the whole region is a big conurbation. Tennoji zoo in Osaka is bigger than Kobe but in an even more urban setting, split in two halves surrounded by busy roads and towering buildings. It’s very much a stamp collection with many species in a small area. A map can be found here.
Click on the link next to the red text underneath the image to see a larger version.
The most impressive exhibits are for Asian elephants and an African savannah area. Both are relatively naturalistic if not huge and heavily planted, creating a sense of immersion. the trails around the Asian elephant enclosure lead you through densely planted undergrowth before you reach the elephants. There is a mixed savannah with giraffes and other ungulates, ostriches and hyenas seem to be here now from what I’ve seen on flickr.
This is good because when I visited the hyenas were in a grim row of concrete barred cages with many species of carnivores. Small cats are in a row of similar scruffy cages. I remember fishing cats in a small cage with what seemed like a small tin bath of water. Black rhinos and hippos are nearby in nice looking enclosures but not huge, the hippos can be viewed underwater in a clear pool with fish. A flamingo pool backs on to the savannah. This is the best part of the zoo.
There are koalas in a similar enclosure to Kobe. The map shows kiwis, I remember kiwis in Ueno but I can’t remember anything about them in Osaka. I think there are traditional grotto enclosures for bears and a standard pool for sealions. There is also a large domed aiviary with herons and storks.
Lions and tigers were in grotto like moated enclosures which weren’t too bad. I think the lions have a new enclosure too.
That’s about all I remember, the impression I got was one of a traditional zoo which is gradually changing completely but I have no idea about masterplans or future strategy.
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