Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden

The Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden, also referred to as the Fukuoka City Zoological Garden, is a public institution located in Fukuoka, Japan. Established in its current location in 1953, it serves as both a zoological park and a botanical garden, offering diverse collections for public enjoyment and education.

History and Development

The origins of the garden trace back to 1933 when a smaller zoo and botanical garden was established near the city's East park to commemorate the coronation of Emperor Hirohito. This initial site was small, covering approximately 1.685 hectares and housing about 500 animals and 100 plant species. Due to the escalating conditions of World War II, the zoo was closed to the public in May 1944, and its larger animals were euthanized.

Following the war, the city council approved the establishment of a new zoo in the South park in 1949. The Fukuoka City Zoological Society was formed in 1952, and significant funds were raised for the new facility. The zoo officially opened at its present site on August 22, 1953, with an initial collection of 143 animals across 69 species, and included recreational features like a miniature train and a Ferris wheel.

Expansion occurred in the years following its opening. In 1954, the zoo was enlarged to the north, increasing its animal collection to 353 individuals representing 110 species. Further land was added in 1956, leading to another expansion of the animal collection to 400 individuals of 120 species. By 2003, its fiftieth anniversary at the current location, the zoo had welcomed over 40 million visitors and housed 706 animals comprising 168 species.

Collections and Features

The botanical garden component of the facility features approximately 1,300 types of outdoor garden plants, largely common species. Its greenhouse is home to over 1,200 plant species, including notable collections of orchids, ferns, and cacti.

Notable Animals

One of the zoo's long-term residents was an elephant named Hanako, who lived at the zoo until her death in 2017 at approximately 46 years old. In a gesture of goodwill, the city of Yangon in Myanmar gifted four elephants to the Fukuoka Zoo in July 2024. Sadly, one of these elephants succumbed to elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus a few months after her arrival.

Visitor Information

By 2003, the zoo had served more than 40 million visitors since its relocation. The zoo's animal population in that year included 57 mammal species, 88 bird species, and 23 reptile species.