2024.12.02

Living creature information

For the first time in 10 years, we have started exhibiting the large ray, the Alfred manta.

Starting Wednesday, November 13, 2024, we will begin exhibiting the Alfred manta , a large type of ray. This will be the first time this species has been exhibited in 10 years. Currently, the Whale shark swims gracefully in the Pacific Ocean tank alongside the Spinetail devilray and closely related tank rays. During Feeding Time, which is held every day at 10:30 and 15:00, you can see the Alfred manta rise to the surface and eat food given to it by the aquarium keeper with a ladle. About the Alfred manta English name: Alfred manta Scientific name: Mobula alfredi A large ray that grows to a body width of more than 4m. It was thought to be the same species as the manta ray, but it was confirmed to be a different species in 2009. It efficiently eats plankton by spreading its head fin. It mainly lives in the warm and tropical waters of the Indo- Pacific Ocean south of Okinawa, and sightings in Kochi Prefecture are rare. It is listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. How to distinguish between Alfred manta and Spinetail devilray Both Alfred manta and Spinetail devilray are closely related species belonging to the "Spinetail devilray" genus. They can be distinguished by the shape and position of their mouths and the patterns on their backs. Mouth shape and position Alfred manta's mouth is wide and located forward of the head. Spinetail devilray's mouth is narrower than Alfred manta and is located slightly ventral side. Patterns on the back Alfred manta's back is black and has a V-shaped pattern on its head. Spinetail devilray's back is indigo blue and has a black stripe pattern on its head.

2024.11.22

news

Merry Christmas from underwater! "Santa Diver" appears

From Friday, November 29th to Wednesday, December 25th, Santa Divers dressed as Santa Claus will appear in the Pacific Ocean tank , where Whale shark and other creatures swim, and the Tasman Sea tank , where Pacific white-sided Pacific white-sided dolphin live! Santa Divers is an annual winter event at Kaiyukan, first held in 1993, now in its 32nd year. They will wave to visitors and take commemorative photos, helping to create a fun atmosphere unique to Kaiyukan. Enjoy Christmas in the tank! Period: Friday, November 29th to Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 Location: ① Pacific Ocean tank ② Tasman Sea tank Hours: ① 13:15 and 15:30, ② 11:00 Admission: Free (included in Kaiyukan admission fee) *Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes *Content may change depending on the condition of the creatures, etc.

2024.11.01

Research and studies

The total length and girth of the Whale shark were measured.

On Friday, November 1st, the "Weight Anniversary", we measured the overall length and girth of the Whale shark currently being kept and exhibited in the "Pacific Ocean" tank in the Aquarium . The results are as follows. Overall length Girth Estimated weight Estimated age Yu 6 m 20 cm Last year (6 m 10 cm) 2 m 60 cm Last year (2 m 62 cm) 1,800 kg (1,700 kg) 17-18 years old Umi 4 m 70 cm 2 m 30 cm 700 kg 7-8 years old Since the year before last, we have also been measuring the girth of the whale sharks in order to improve the accuracy of health management. "Umi" was measured when it was brought in on October 2nd, 2024, so it was not measured on "Weight Anniversary". At Kaiyukan , we measure the overall length of Whale shark as part of ecological research and health management of Whale shark , whose ecology is still unknown. The total length was measured using a tape measure, which was achieved by training participants to touch the Whale shark's body while it was being fed. Through the Measurement Day, we hope to show how the creatures grow healthily and introduce the health management efforts at Kaiyukan, and to encourage interest in the natural environment.

2024.10.29

Living creature information

King penguin chicks were born!

You can see how the chicks raise their young in the "Antarctica" tank. A King penguin chick was born on Saturday, October 12, 2024. The chick lives with its parents in the "Antarctica" tank, and visitors can see how it raises its young, occasionally peeking out from under its parents' feet and feeding them mouth-to-mouth. aquarium keeper monitor the chicks' growth, weighing them every day. When they grow too big to fit under their parents' feet, visitors can see them snuggling up to their parents. King penguin have a long period of parenting, and will live with their parents until around spring next year. King penguin chick (photographed on 10/16) About the chick born this time Egg-laying date: August 15, 2024 Hatching date: October 12, 2024 Gender: Unknown Weight: 236.8g (immediately after hatching) Approximately 1000g (as of October 29) About the King penguin Japanese name: King penguin English name: King penguin Scientific name: Aptenodytes patagonicus Lives in the area around Antarctica. It is the second largest penguin in the order Penguin, growing to about 90cm in length and weighing about 12kg. A total of 49 chicks have been born at Kaiyukan, including this chick.

2024.10.25

Living creature information

About the Tufted puffin Puffin Chicks

A tufted Tufted puffin chick born on August 18 in the "Aleutian Islands" tank died on October 16. It is a pity that the chick had grown well since its birth and was due to leave the nest soon. It was in good health until the day before its death was confirmed. Kaiyukan started breeding and exhibiting Tufted puffin in 2018, and has been recreating the natural environment in which Tufted puffin live by adjusting the temperature and humidity in the tank and the lighting schedule throughout the year with the goal of breeding them. In addition, the chicks are regularly trained to manage their health. However, there are still issues to be addressed, such as how to care for the chicks immediately after hatching and when they will leave the nest, and we are trying to establish the necessary techniques through trial and error every year. We would like to make the most of the knowledge and experience we have gained from this breeding to contribute to the breeding of Tufted puffin and the conservation of the species.

2024.10.21

news

The reopening date for the Great Barrier Reef tank, the world's largest coral reef, has been set for Thursday, November 28th.

The reopening date for the Great Barrier Reef tank has been set for Thursday, November 28, 2024. The Great Barrier Reef tank recreates the environment of the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral tank, which stretches along the northeastern coast of Australia, and has been loved by many visitors since its opening in 1990. The tank has been closed to the public since May 2023 due to a renewal of the exhibits with the theme of "the vitality of coral." We are currently making final adjustments for the reopening. Details of the Great Barrier Reef tank and its exhibits will be announced at a later date.

2024.10.04

Living creature information

The male whale shark "Kai" has arrived!

A male whale shark (nicknamed Kai, estimated age 7-8 years, total length 4.7m, estimated weight 700kg) was brought in on Kaiyukan, October 2nd, and opened to the public from Thursday, October 3rd. Of the two Whale shark kept at Whale shark , the male "Kai" was fitted with a small recording device (data logger) and released into his homeland, the Pacific Ocean , to begin investigating his migration route in the natural ocean. In addition, a male whale Whale shark that had been kept at Kaiyukan 's research laboratory in Kochi Prefecture was brought into the new "Pacific Ocean" tank. You can now see the two swimming together with the female "Yu". At Kaiyukan, the male whale Whale shark's nickname will continue to be "Kai". The newly arrived Whale shark " Umi" was caught in a fixed net in Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture on July 23, 2024, and was brought to the Iburi Center the following day. At the Iburi Center, feeding, health care training, and blood tests are carried out, and after being brought to the Kaiyukan, the two will be exhibited together with "Yu" while continuing to manage their health and conduct ecological research.

2024.09.03

Living creature information

Gentoo penguin and tufted Tufted puffin chicks were born

Parent birds are raising their young in the "Antarctica" and "Aleutian Islands" tank. On August 7, 2024, Gentoo penguin chick was born, and on August 18, one Tufted Tufted puffin chick was born. Gentoo penguin chick (photographed on August 28) Tufted puffin chick (photographed on September 3) The Gentoo penguin chick is currently living with its parent in the "Antarctica" tank. You can see the chicks occasionally feeding the chicks by mouth. Immediately after birth, they were so small that they were hidden by the parent's body and could not be seen, but now they have grown to weigh over 1 kg. The Tufted puffin chick was born when "Chirippu (male)", born at Kaiyukan in 2021, paired with a female for the first time. This is the first time that successive breeding of Tufted puffin(individuals born in the Aquarium are involved in breeding the next generation) has been carried out at Kaiyukan. Currently, the chicks are raising their young in a burrow in the "Aleutian Islands" tank , so you cannot see them or watch them raise their young, but they are expected to leave the nest in about 50 days. We hope to convey the wonder of the birth of life through the chicks of both species. tank in the "Antarctica" and "Aleutian Islands" tank raising their young About the chicks born this time [ Gentoo penguin] Egg-laying date: Sunday, June 30, 2024 Hatching date: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 Gender: Unknown Weight: 79.2g (immediately after hatching) Approximately 1200g (September 3rd) [ Tufted puffin] Egg-laying date: Monday, July 8, 2024 Hatching date: Sunday, August 18, 2024 Gender: Unknown Weight: 54.0g (immediately after hatching) Approximately 160g (September 3rd) Parent birds: Father "Chirippu" (born at Kaiyukan in 2021), mother "Kerochi"

2024.07.25

Research and studies

Artificial insemination using frozen sperm of Southern rockhopper penguin was successful

Following the first success in 2022, this is the second such achievement in the world! In a joint research project on artificial breeding of Southern rockhopper penguin conducted by Kaiyukan and Tokyo Rinkai Aquarium, Kaiyukan has successfully performed artificial insemination using frozen sperm. This is the second artificial insemination using frozen sperm in this species, following the world's first success achieved by both zoos in 2022, and the first success at Kaiyukan. A Southern rockhopper penguin chick that was found to have been artificially inseminated using frozen sperm (center photo: taken on July 20th) The chicks are currently being raised by their parents in the "Falkland Islands(Malvinas)" tank at Kaiyukan , and you can see them occasionally feeding the chicks by mouth. The chicks are growing well, and the aquarium keeper are watching over them while checking their health by weighing and observing them every morning. Results of the artificial insemination carried out this time Parent bird: female from Kaiyukan Father: male from Kasai Rinkai Aquarium Sperm processing: frozen storage Artificial insemination carried out on: April 19, 22, 24 Egg laying date: May 3 Hatching date: June 4 DNA test results: confirmed to be chicks produced by artificial insemination *Second case in the world Research on artificial breeding of the Southern rockhopper penguin Since 2011, Kaiyukan has been conducting research aimed at elucidating the breeding ecology of this species, which is at risk of extinction in the wild and whose captive population in Japan is also declining, and establishing artificial breeding techniques. Since 2016, the company has collaborated with Kasai Rinkai Aquarium, and in the same year, it succeeded in artificial insemination using liquid-preserved sperm, the first in the world. In 2017, the two zoos and aquariums signed a joint research agreement and have been working on freezing and preserving sperm in order to further advance research. It was revealed that a chick born at Kasai Rinkai Aquarium in 2022 was the result of artificial insemination using frozen sperm, the first successful case of this species in the world. This year, sperm was collected from a male kept at Kasai Rinkai Aquarium, frozen and stored, then transported and artificially inseminated a female at Kaiyukan. The eggs laid by the female who had been artificially inseminated hatched on June 4th (announced on June 10th, 2024), and a blood parentage test was performed, confirming the DNA of the male at Kasai Rinkai Aquarium and revealing that artificial insemination using frozen storage was successful. Kaiyukan and Kasai Rinkai Aquarium will further deepen their cooperative relationship and establish the technology for artificial insemination of this species. In addition, by spreading this technology to aquariums and zoos both in Japan and abroad, we hope to promote breeding and contribute to the preservation of the endangered wild species of the southern Southern rockhopper penguin. About the Southern Rockhopper Penguin English name: Southern Rockhopper Penguin Scientific name: Eudyptes chrysocome Classification: Order Sphenisciformes, Family Spheniscidae (IUCN Red List: VU (Endangered)) Distribution: Falkland Islands(Malvinas) and other islands around Antarctica Mature individuals are 45-58cm long and weigh 2.2-4.2kg. This is a small species of penguin, and it is said that it got its name from the fact that it moves by hopping between the rocks. They are characterized by their yellow crest feathers above their eyes, and build nests out of pebbles and weeds on coastal rocks. Females usually lay two eggs per breeding. They have a somewhat feisty temperament compared to other penguins, and feed on small fish and krill.

2024.07.23

news

[From August 9th] "Kaiyukan Original Capsule Toy Wood Carving Figures" will be sold exclusively at the Kaiyukan Official Shop

\It's a surprise which creature you will get♪/Available for sale as a capsule toy (gachapon machine)! Starting Friday, August 9, 2024 (planned), the Kaiyukan Official Shop (3rd floor of the Entrance Building) will be selling the "Kaiyukan Original Southern rockhopper penguin Carving Figure" (500 yen (tax included) per turn / 5 types in total). The five types of creatures that will be available this time are the Whale shark, Spinetail devilray South American coati , southern rockhopper penguin, and ringed Ringed seal, which are kept and exhibited at Kaiyukan . Kaiyukan Original Capsule Toy Wood Carving Figure This figure was made by the famous wood sculptor "Hashimoto Mio", who actually visited Kaiyukan and drew the creatures himself for several days in the Aquarium, and then made a wood carving based on that, and created the figure based on this. It reproduces the warmth and fine texture unique to wood carving. The figures are of types that Hashimoto Mio has never made before, and are of popular creatures at Kaiyukan. Even the finer details, such as the crack at the tip of the Whale shark's tail fin, are reproduced, and the curves of each creature's body and movements give them a sense of realism that makes them seem as if they could start moving at any moment. Enjoy these figures of popular creatures that are only available at Kaiyukan, even at home. About the original figures [Product name] Kaiyukan original capsule toy wooden carving figures [Place of sale] Kaiyukan Official Shop, 3rd floor of the entrance building [Release date] Friday, August 9, 2024 (planned) - [Price] 500 yen (tax included) / 1 time Total of 5 types