Ueno Zoo Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Ueno Zoo

Ueno Zoo entrance gate
Date opened	1882
Location	Tokyo, Japan
Land area	14.3 ha (35 acres)
Coordinates	35°43′03″N 139°46′17″E / 35.71750°N 139.77139°E / 35.71750; 139.77139
No. of animals	2600
No. of species	464
Memberships	JAZA
Major exhibits	giant panda, Sumatran tiger, western lowland gorilla

The Ueno Zoo (恩賜上野動物園 (Onshi Ueno Dōbutsuen)) is a famous animal park in Tokyo, Japan. It is managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This zoo is Japan's oldest, opening its doors on March 20, 1882. It covers about 14.3 hectares (about 35 acres). You can easily reach it by train or subway, as it is close to Ueno Station, Keisei Ueno Station, and Nezu Station. The zoo used to have a monorail connecting its two parts, but it closed permanently in December 2023. The Ueno Zoo is located inside Ueno Park, a big city park with museums and other fun places. The zoo is usually closed on Mondays.

A Look Back: Ueno Zoo's History
- Modern Homes for Animals
Meet the Animals: Ueno Zoo's Residents
- Famous Residents: Giant Pandas
- Exploring the Zoo's Sections
  - Eastern Garden Animals
  - Western Garden Animals
See also

A Look Back: Ueno Zoo's History

The Ueno Zoo began as a small collection of animals. These animals were part of the National Museum of Natural History. In 1881, a naturalist named Tanaka Yoshio took charge. He helped turn the animal collection into a public zoo for everyone to visit.

The land where the zoo stands was once owned by the Japanese imperial family. In 1924, this land was given to the city government. This gift happened when Crown Prince Hirohito got married. This is why the zoo's Japanese name includes "Onshi," which means "bestowed by the Emperor."

Modern Homes for Animals

The Ueno Zoo works to give its animals homes that feel like their natural habitats. In recent years, some of the older cages have been replaced. New, modern habitats have been built. For example, the "Gorilla Woods" was built after some gorillas had problems in 1999. However, some animal homes, like those for giraffes and hippos, are still older. These older homes are made of concrete and offer less space for the animals.

Meet the Animals: Ueno Zoo's Residents

A polar bear at the Ueno Zoo

A tiger at the Ueno Zoo

The Ueno Zoo is home to many different creatures. It has more than 2,600 individual animals. These animals represent over 500 different kinds of species!

Famous Residents: Giant Pandas

A western lowland gorilla at the Ueno Zoo

A giant panda at Ueno Zoo

For a while, the Ueno Zoo did not have any giant pandas. This happened after the panda named Ling Ling passed away in 2008. But in February 2011, two new giant pandas arrived! They came all the way from the Wolong Nature Reserve in China.

The male panda's original name was Billy. At Ueno, he was renamed Līlī (力力リーリー). This new name means "playful vitality." The female panda's name was Siennyu, meaning "Fairy." She was renamed Shinshin (真真シンシン). This name refers to "purity" and "innocence." The zoo chose these names after asking the public for ideas.

Exploring the Zoo's Sections

The Ueno Zoo is divided into two main parts. These parts are connected by a bridge called the Aesop Bridge, built in 1961. There used to be a monorail that also connected the two sections.

Eastern Garden Animals

The eastern garden is where you can find many exciting animals. Some of its residents include:

Western Garden Animals

The western garden is home to a different set of animals. Here you might see:

Ueno Zoo facts for kids

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