The Kyoto Shimbun
  • Home
  • Kyoto
  • News
  • Tsushima Leopard Cat Kittens' Japan Debut
    Born in May at Kyoto City Zoo

    12 October 2017 - Kyoto//Local topics
    Photo= Two Tsushima leopard cat kittens living together in the breeding facility at the zoo (courtesy of Kyoto City Zoo)

    Photo= Two Tsushima leopard cat kittens living together in the breeding facility at the zoo (courtesy of Kyoto City Zoo)

    Kyoto City Zoo has decided that it will exhibit two Tsushima leopard cat kittens, designated as a national natural treasure, that were born on May 11, for one month only from October 11 to November 12. This is the first attempt in Japan to exhibit kittens. The zoo said, "It is possible that they will move to other zoos for reproduction in the future. We would like them to experience various environments while they are small and adaptable."

    One male and one female kitten will be on exhibit at the Tsushima Leopard Cat area of the "Fierce Animal World" in the zoo. Both kittens weighed approximately 100 grams at birth, and they have been growing steadily. As of October 2, the male weighed 2,700 grams, and the female, 2,550 grams.

    Tsushima leopard cats inhabit only the Tsushima islands, Nagasaki Prefecture. As they are in great danger of extinction, the Ministry of the Environment is carrying out projects for their protection and reproduction. Currently, a total of 35 cats are kept in nine zoos across Japan, including Kyoto City Zoo, as well as Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center.

    The cats' usual behavior is for the mother and kittens to live together until the kittens are six to seven months old. In consideration of the stress on the mother cats, mothers and kittens have not been exhibited in Japan. However, the two kittens born in Kyoto City Zoo were raised by humans separately from their mother immediately after being delivered by cesarean section. Thus, the zoo decided that it is possible to exhibit them this time.

    In conjunction with the exhibition, there will be guides on October 11, 22, 29, November 5 and 12. For more information, contact the zoo at 075-771-0210.

    (Translated by Mie Hiuzon, Psyche et l’Amour, Inc.)
  • Also in Kyoto//Local topics:

    Bonfires Drastically Scaled-Back This Summer
    Seen as Points of Flame from Kyoto City; COVID-19 Countermeasures
    12 August 2020

    No Float Procession This Year
    Earlier Part of Kyoto's Gion Festival Changed Due to COVID-19
    12 August 2020

    Do You Feel Like a Shogun?
    Get a Closer Look at Powerful Murals during the Special Access to Nijo-jo Castle's Third Room of Kuro-Shoin, Kyoto
    12 August 2020

    Two Doctors Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering Woman with ALS at Her Request
    Sudden Change in Condition after Their Visit; Drug Detected in Her Body
    12 August 2020

    Professor Yamanaka of CiRA Calls for "At Least One Year's Patience"
    Non-Specialist Continues Sharing Information to End Novel Coronavirus
    15 April 2020

News Archive
  • August 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • More...
Categories
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • Temples/Shrines
  • Tradition/Culture
  • Local topics
  • Education/University
  • Business/Company
  • Traffic
  • Gourmet
  • 1min Kyoto
  • Kyoto
  • Shiga
Web site
Introducing Privacy Policy Japanese Site
Copyright © 1995-2021 The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
We use cookies for a number of reasons, such as keeping our websites reliable and secure, providing social media features and to analyze the performance of ads. Accept & continue Read More
Privacy Policy