| News |
Let’s Learn about the Issue of “Alien Species”:
Chinese Giant Salamander on display from January 20th, 2012 |
Japanese giant salamander
Chinese giant salamander
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Come and meet our new face, Chinese giant salamander now on exhibit at “Japan Forest” located on the 8th floor, the starting point of your tour at Kaiyukan.
The Chinese giant salamander, a foreign species brought from China, is 120cm long and weighs 20kg. It is now displayed with Japanese giant salamander, a native species found only in Japan, in the same showcase. Some slight differences may be observed in the macules or projection, but otherwise they are very similar and you can hardly tell one from the other from their appearance.
Japanese giant salamander is the world’s largest species of amphibian which grow to over 1m. Inhabit only in Japan, it was designated as a Japanese Special National Treasure in 1952. Chinese giant salamander was brought to Japan from China as a pet or food, which eventually became feral. Resulting from crossing with this alien species, crossbred species of Japanese salamander have been found and reported: it is in danger of extinction. We hope this exhibition will also serve as an opportunity to bring broad attention of people to the issue of alien species. |
| The perfect season for beautiful sunset! |
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It’s the perfect season to see the beautiful evening sun setting over “Daikanmon”, the great gateway to Osaka Port, from “Sunset Plaza” located west of Tempozan Harbor Village.
The Sunset Plaza is a famous spot for viewing a beautiful sunset, and it is visited by many couples, professional and amateur photographers during this time of year.
For 62 days starting from Nov. 21 through Jan. 21, 2012, the evening sun sets over “Daikanmon”, the great gateway, as the sunset point gradually moves from north to south. On the following 4 days, Dec. 11th, 12th, 31st, 2011 and Jan. 1st, 2012, the beautiful evening sun setting in center of the gateway can be seen, only this time of year.
- Beautiful sunset over Daikanmon gateway-
[When] Now through January 21st, 2012
[Where] From Sunset Plaza, west of Tempozan Harbor Village
(Along Pier of Tempozan, behind the Entrance building (yellow building))
[What time]
| Dec. 11 (Sun), 2011 |
4:48 p.m. |
Center of Daikanmon |
| Dec. 12 (Mon), 2011 |
4:48 p.m. |
Center of Daikanmon |
| Dec. 31 (Sat), 2011 |
4:57 p.m. |
Center of Daikanmon |
| Jan. 1 (Sun), 2012 |
4:58 p.m. |
Center of Daikanmon |
| Jan. 21 (Sat), 2012 |
5:16 p.m. |
North of Daikanmon |
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Special Ticket “Kaiyukan + Tennoji Zoo” now on sale:
Meet Whale shark and Polar bear while saving 300 yen! |
Whale Shark at Kaiyukan
Polar Bear at Tennoji Zoo |
Kaiyukan and Tennoji Zoo have jointly released the special discount ticket on October 18th. The ticket features admission to both Kaiyukan and Tennoji Zoo while saving 300 yen from the regular price. This ticket is aimed at raising awareness about living animals and natural environment by visiting both facilities.
[Price] 2,200 yen
*300 yen off the regular price (2,000yen for Kaiyukan + 500 yen for Tennoji Zoo = 2,500 yen), for adult only.
[When to purchase] Oct. 18, 2011 through Mar. 31, 2012
[When to use] Valid through Sep. 30, 2012
*Except for closing dates of Kaiyukan and Tennoji Zoo.
[Where to purchase]
- At Kaiyukan: Ticket booth on the 3rd floor, Entrance Bldg.
- At Tennoji Zoo: Group reception at the entrance (at Shin-sekai gate & Tennoji gate)
[How many tickets] Total of 10,000 tickets are on sale.
[Access to Tennnoji Zoo from Kaiyukan]
It takes about 40 minutes and costs 270 yen from Kaiyukan to Tennoji Zoo by subway. Transfer at Honmachi and take Midosuji-Line (Red Line) bound for Tennoji. Get off at “Dobutsuen-mae”, and you’ll see the zoo right in front of you. Walk for about 5 min to reach entrance.
For more information about Tennoji Zoo, please visit: http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_2183.html (in English)
http://www.jazga.or.jp/tennoji/ (in Japanese)
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 Baby Boom at Kaiyukan!
King penguin baby chick born for the 3rd time this year! |
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Kaiyukan is proud to announce the birth of a healthy King penguin baby chick born on Sep 23rd, 2011 at “Antarctica” tank, marking the 37th baby King penguin ever born at Kaiyukan. Now the baby chick is looked after by its parents, growing under their belly. You can get to see them together in the tank.
Kaiyukan is right at the peak of baby boom -- Another two King penguin baby chicks were born on June 30th and Sep 2nd, respectively at “Antarctica” tank, and two babies of California sea lion on June 3rd and Aug 24th, respectively at “Monterey Bay” tank. |
King Penguin Baby Chick Born at Kaiyukan:
The 2nd time this year! |
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Kaiyukan is proud to announce the birth of a healthy King penguin baby chick born on September 2nd, 2011 at “Antarctica” tank.
This baby chick was looked after by our caretakers in an incubator in the backyard for a while after birth for checking the health condition. Since September 3rd, the chick has been back in “Antarctica” tank with its parents, growing under their belly. Now you can get to see them together in the tank. |
 New Baby Sea Lion Born at Kaiyukan:
for the 2nd time this year!! |
↑As of August 25th , 2011
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Kaiyukan is proud to announce the birth of a healthy California Sea Lion born on August 24th, 2011 being 60cm and weighing 6.8kg, still of undetermined gender. Its mother is “Rippu”. It is the 2nd baby sea lion born this year at Kaiyukan, following the first one born on June 3rd. This is the 9th time a baby California Sea Lion has ever been born at Kaiyukan.
Both mother and her baby in the Monterey Bay tank are in good condition. They can be seen together there - it sure is a scene that would make you smile. |
A New Whale shark “Yu-chan” arrived at Kaiyukan! |
Yu-chan
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Kai-kun swimming in the
Pacific Ocean tank at Kaiyukan
(as of January 2011)
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A new female whale shark, “Yu-chan” has made her appearance here at Kaiyukan since July 23rd, 2011.
[Profile of Yu-chan]
Total length: 4.1 m.
Estimated weight: 900 kg
Estimated age: 5 - 6 years-old
Gender: female
Yu-chan was caught in a set net off the coast of Cape Muroto-misaki of Kochi Prefecture on June 23rd, 2011. On the same day, she was carefully transferred to and kept in Kaiyukan’s research facility called “Osaka Aquarium Biological Research Institute of Iburi Center” (hereinafter called OBIC) located in the same prefecture. She was a healthy whale shark and started feeding in a short while.
After about a month, she traveled to Kaiyukan and appeared in the Pacific Ocean tank at midnight on June 22nd. On the next day, she started feeding. The new healthy female whale shark is swimming actively in the Pacific Ocean tank.
Yu-chan was named after one of Chinese characters of “Kaiyukan”.
[Thank you and good bye “Kai-kun”]
Now that the new whale shark, “Yu-chan” is here, we decided to transfer a grown-up male whale shark, “Kai-kun” back to OBIC, which is specially equipped to care for whale shark, on July 22nd.
He had been with us at Kaiyukan for about 4 years since September 2007.
Kai-kun was estimated to be 9 - 10 years-old, and weigh 1,500 kg (1.5 t).
He was 5.5 meters in length as of July 16th, which suggested he might be too large to be carried out safely and promptly when it’s really needed.
After taking a thorough physical exam and confirmed that condition of his health is good, he will be released off the coast of Kochi Prefecture, where he was originally from. |
Baby Sea Lion Born at Kaiyukan!
Come and see us! |
↑As of June 10th , 2011
↑As of June 4th, 2011
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Kaiyukan is proud to announce the birth of a healthy male California Sea Lion born on June 3rd, 2011 being 70cm and weighing 7.6kg. He is the son of first-time mother Sumire. His birth is the first time in the last 2 years and 8 months, and the 8th time a California Sea Lion has ever been born at Kaiyukan.
Both mother and her baby son in the Monterey Bay tank are in good condition. You may get to see them together there - it sure is a scene that would make you smile. The baby sea lion will be breast-fed for one year. |
Manta ray (Manta birostris) in Kaiyukan changed its name to “Manta alfredi.” |
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The manta ray has had one species per genus and the academic name “Manta birostris” and a Japanese name“Oni-itomaki-ei”and English name “Manta ray”had been applied for that ray. In December 2009, the research paper stating two species of Manta birostris was published and two species such as Manta birostris and Manta alfredi were given respectively.
Based on the above research paper, Kaiyukan examined its manta ray and found the ray was Manta alfredi actually. Kaiyukan, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Epson Aqua Stadium proposed the Japanese name, “Nanyo Manta” and use that name with an academic name, Manta alfredi.
Alfred Manta (Manta alfredi)
Myliobatidae. This ray is the second largest ray after the manta ray. Its disc width exceeds 4 meters when it grows. It mainly ingests plankton. Kaiyukan has kept a male Alfred Manta since December 14, 1999 and given 4kg of plankton in total per day. |
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