Dolphin, penguins left at defunct aquarium spark concerns

This is heartbreaking. Surely some organization would be interested in the dolphin. It would be nice if she could be 'soft' released (NOT Taiji! Although that may be where she was taken from as a baby). As for the Humboldt's, they are a long way from home. Perhaps some zoological society (better equipped) would be interested in the remaining birds. The video of the Shirotori Zoo in Kagawa is ....indescribable. While the pens are clean....they are TOO SMALL! Horrific for the Tigers and Lions. They shouldn't be breeding any large cats...what are they feeding them? The pigs? The donkeys? Zebra? Zebra is too thin. Owls are horrifically territorial....I cringe seeing multiple owls crowded in one aviary and wonder how many have died at the claws of their avian neighbors. What is with tethering animals? Monkeys? Birds? Too cruel. I do not believe all Japanese find this amusing.

dadude - did you look at the "happy day out" at my local zoo video?

Please tell me in what other modern, high-tech advanced country with great social order could you see the same images? I'm truly interested.

Maybe they exist - you know tigers on gravel in a tiny cage, a boxed up solitary kangaroo with a bit of straw to appease it etc etc etc.

And the paying patrons just think it's all so "kawaii".

Indefensible.

DaDude - The zoos, aquariums, and animal parks in the US with their larger pens, tanks, pastures, etc, are typically more humane than the ones in Japan, which are almost always too small for the animals and creatures on display.

I have two eyes. I have been to zoos all over Japan.

Now take those experiences and tell me how zoos are so much better in other countries. I have yet been to a zoo in Asia, Europe or North America that didn't have any of the above that you mentioned. You can Google easily cruelty at zoos in other countries.

You asked for proof of why I think Japanese zoos are bad. I have two eyes. I have been to zoos all over Japan. When I first got here it was because I didn't know any better. Now I travel to visit places all over Japan, like visiting castles and castle parks. Often these parks have zoos as part of them. They are either free or part of the castle ticket price. I would never willingly pay to visit another zoo in Japan. Lonely animals. Dirty cages and water. TINY TINY TINY cages and living spaces. I saw a tiger in a room, all alone in a room the size of my computer room I am sitting in now. A horse in a pen no bigger than 3 square meters. It has probably never run or galloped in its entire life. The list goes on and on and on. Just use your eyes, your heart!

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/wildlife-watch-japan-zoo-elephants-solitary/

https://japlanning.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/ueno-zoo-a-must-not-see-spectacle/

http://www.alive-net.net/english/en-zoocheck/ZC/P-report1.html

https://www.reddit.com/r/Tokyo/comments/7e5kk0/witnessed_animal_cruelty_at_the_ueno_zoo_yesterday/

dadude - while the term "barbaric" is quite loaded, here is link to a zoo in my part of Japan.

This video is actually meant to be depicting the place in not a negative light.

Look at the animals. This is not rare from my limited experience of zoos in Japan.

Appears like something from the 19th C.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtC-MmVyZaY

Went with a group of children to Kyoto zoo. Reminded me of Guantanamo bay videos.

This isn’t surprising in the least. Japan’s record with animals in captivity or even in general is terrible. I hope they work out a solution for the animals left alone there.

I kept hearing about Ueno Zoo and how I should go there, it was depressing how the animals were kept. I couldn’t have walked out fast enough.

You just totally vindicated Japan dude! Genius!

"Japan... paving the way for animal rights and dignity the world over (even in Antarctica!). The mighty beacon of animal kindness and compassion. Step aside - volunteer group coming through.....!"

.........................................................

Have a look on the internet for Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo and Sea World on the Gold Coast Australia to see the difference yourself.

2 zoos/aquariums out of thousands. Now please answer how Japanese zoos and aquariums are barbaric.

Have a look on the internet for Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo and Sea World on the Gold Coast Australia to see the difference yourself.

Those are nice zoos.

Its just another glaring example of how Japan treats animals. The zoos and aquariums here are barbaric.

Japanese zoos are no worse than the Bronx Zoo or a zoo in most other Western cities. I personally think there should be fewer zoos, and those that exist should be like the zoos you described. But anyone who thinks Japan is barbaric will be in for a shock if they visit other zoos around the world.

I have room for two penguins, Sea has room for a dolphin.

The Chiba prefectural government has been inspecting the facility once a month based on an animal protection law and has confirmed the company has been feeding the animals.

This is what really gets to me. Inspectors know.. and still do nothing! Pull your socks up, Japan! Seriously!

DaDude - Do explain the differences between zoos and aquariums in Japan vs other countries. I haven't seen any glaring difference. 

Have a look on the internet for Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo and Sea World on the Gold Coast Australia to see the difference yourself.

A pathetic situation and another indictment on Japan and its bs propaganda "love of nature". Disgusting!

But, in the developed world, ESPECIALLY in Japan. Animals are kept in appalling conditions and expected to 'perform' for the masses, with no thought to the animals' well-being. The baseline here for animal care in general, including pets, is abysmal.

very true!

Too often animals held in captivity end up at the mercy of those responsible for them, even if those individuals or organizations had the best of intentions.

One has to believe that civilized countries will be forced to rethink these types of attractions and how they are regulated.

BEST post I've read all day today! Hear! Hear!

Are you kidding. Its just another glaring example of how Japan treats animals. The zoos and aquariums here are barbaric.

Do explain the differences between zoos and aquariums in Japan vs other countries. I haven't seen any glaring difference. Only barbaric animal establishments I know are downtown pet shops.

This is a cautionary tale that is unfortunately likely to be increasingly common in Japan in the coming years. There are simply too many zoos and aquariums in this country and many of them are in areas where demographic decline is going to make them economically unviable. These are just disasters waiting to happen since unlike other businesses the insolvency of these ones leave a costly legacy of animals with extremely complicated and expensive needs to meet and nobody willing to cover that.

Alas, this situation is far too common, not just in Japan but around the world.

But, in the developed world, ESPECIALLY in Japan. Animals are kept in appalling conditions and expected to 'perform' for the masses, with no thought to the animals' well-being. The baseline here for animal care in general, including pets, is abysmal.

As mentioned above, dolphins are sentient and social animals. As if not enough to be ripped from its pod - it is now left to fester by itself. This is akin to locking a human in an isolated cage and just throwing in some food every now and then. Sounds like prison, yes. But the animal has committed no crime. On the contrary, helped people make money, put smiles on people's faces and was a good sport toward its captors for its entire life. Disgusting... but typical.

"spark concerns"

Are you kidding. Its just another glaring example of how Japan treats animals. The zoos and aquariums here are barbaric.

The operator has told the prefectural officials that negotiations on transferring the animals have hit a sna

Hit a snag? What exactly does that mean? I guess it means nobody has offered them enough money for them so they just keep them suffering. Yes, the animals are being fed and cared for. However, dolphins are social and sentient animals. To leave this dolphin alone in a tank for so long is animal cruelty. It is likely the dolphin will slowly go insane and fret itself to death. Perhaps this is what the owners are hoping for. This is not national news. It is criminal news.

Alas, this situation is far too common, not just in Japan but around the world.

Whether it be zoos or aquariums or the like.

Too often animals held in captivity end up at the mercy of those responsible for them, even if those individuals or organizations had the best of intentions.

One has to believe that civilized countries will be forced to rethink these types of attractions and how they are regulated.

Very very sad.

This is a common problem here, "after the fact" action.

Sheer ignorance!

They mustn't be "kawaii " enough to be bothered with. Seems to be the only reason Japan gives a crap about animals

What a mess, had authorities actually done their job this should not have happened at all.