2019.12.27

Sales/Shop

The "seal cushion," packed with the aquarium keeper' attention to detail, is now complete!

The seal cushions were created by the Ringed seal seal specialist at Kaiyukan , who faithfully reproduced the physical characteristics of each individual seal down to the smallest detail! The cushions come with a "caretaker handover notebook" that contains information on how to aquarium keeper for the Ringed seal , so you can feel like a ringed seal keeper. The Kaiyukan Official Shop aims to create goods that will help visitors to Kaiyukan learn more about the creatures and Kaiyukan. Please note that these goods are only sold at the Kaiyukan Official Shop (with the aquarium keeper handover notebook) and the official online store of Felissimo Co., Ltd. when purchasing goods. A size close to the real thing The size is only about one size smaller than the real thing, making it feel realistic and comfortable to hug. You may wonder how a seal can be so small, but Ringed seal are the smallest type of seal. The Ringed seal is tightly packed The small head, size and shape of the feet are just like a real Ringed seal. The aquarium keeper have supervised the design, even paying close attention to the way the claws grow. You can learn about the mindset required for caretaking! Both the Yuki and Arale versions come with an original caretaking handover notebook. It's a bit of a nerdy read, as it teaches you how aquarium keeper really used to keep records of the animals' behavior. There's also a mini version! The Yuki version of the seal mini cushion, which is only available at Kaiyukan, has a different expression than the big cushion. Where to buy: Official shop on the 3rd floor of the entrance building (inside the area after entering the aquarium) Product name: Seal big cushion (two types: Arale and Yuki) ⇒ 6,820 yen (tax included) Seal mini cushion (two types: Arale and Yuki) ⇒ 2,750 yen (tax included) For inquiries: Kaiyukan Information: 06-6576-5501

2019.12.10

Research and studies

Survey of Whale shark migration routes

On October 19, 2019, a Whale shark was released with a data logger (small recording device) attached. Two data loggers were attached, one for one month and one for one year, with different survey periods. The data from the one-month period was collected, and the swimming route was determined after analysis by a specialized institution. The Whale shark, which had migrated from offshore Tokushima Prefecture to offshore Wakayama and Mie Prefectures, changed its swimming direction to Osaka Bay. The water temperature in Osaka Bay was higher than usual, so it may have migrated in pursuit of prey such as whitebait. We are currently considering such possibilities. In addition, past survey records show that Whale shark head south as the seawater temperature drops, so we believe that they will head south as the seawater temperature changes in the future. *The swimming route from then on will be determined after the one-year data logger is detached and the data is collected, and after analysis by a specialized institution. (Since October 2020) [Past research records] ▷ Kaiyukan research details page At Kaiyukan, we conduct Whale shark research both in the natural ocean and in captivity, which will help shed light on the still unknown ecology of Whale shark and contribute to conservation activities.

2019.10.19

Living creature information

The male Whale shark"Kai-kun" has arrived!

A male whale Whale shark (nicknamed Kai-kun, estimated age 4-5 years, total length 4.2m, estimated weight approximately 700kg) was brought in on Friday, October 18th, and has been open to the public since the 19th. Of the two Whale shark kept at Kaiyukan , the male Kai-kun 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 conjunction with this, a male whale Whale shark kept at Kaiyukan 's research laboratory in Kochi Prefecture was brought into the new "Pacific Ocean" tank. Currently, you can see the two swimming together with the female "Yu-chan". ▼ The newly arrived Whale shark"Kai-kun"The Whale shark brought in this time was put into a fixed net at Cape Muroto in Kochi Prefecture on September 1st, 2019, and has been under health management at the Iburi Center since the 3rd of the same month. At Kaiyukan, the male Whale shark shark will continue to be nicknamed "Umi" Whale shark.

2019.10.07

Living creature information

The Tufted puffin chicks have left the nest! You can see the black feathers that are characteristic of young birds, and the Tufted puffin's characteristic "diving" behavior.

The Tufted puffin chicks born in the "Aleutian Islands" tank on Wednesday, July 31st have safely left the nest! Currently, you can see the black feathers characteristic of young birds and the Tufted puffin 's characteristic "diving" behavior in the exhibition tank . The chicks were raised by their parents, and now that they have left the nest, they can eat food from the aquarium keeper' hands, just like the other chicks. Over the next 3 to 4 years, the chicks will look just like adult birds.

2019.07.17

Living creature information

A baby California sea lion was born!

You can watch the heartwarming rearing of California sea lion in the "Monterey Bay" tank . The newborn baby California sea lion On Friday, July 12, 2019, a baby California sea lion was born in the "Monterey Bay" tank . Both mother and child are healthy, and we were able to see them nursing. This marks the 15th baby California sea lion to be born at Kaiyukan . The California sea lion that gave birth this time is nicknamed "Asuka" (age 9), and was brought in from Ehime Prefectural Tobe Zoo in June 2012 as part of an individual exchange for the purpose of updating the bloodline. This is the second birth, following 2018. Asuka is taking good care of her baby, encouraging it to drink milk with her mouth. The baby will grow on breast milk for about a year. Currently, the baby is being raised in the exhibition tank , and depending on the time and location, you can see the mother and child's heartwarming behavior up close. Besides Asuka and her baby, two California sea lion and seven Largha seal also live in the Monterey Bay tank . We hope to keep a close eye on the newborn baby so that he will grow up healthily as a new member of the Monterey Bay tank.

2019.07.03

Living creature information

Mandarin Duck duck chicks were born!

You can see eight chicks swimming with their parents up close in the "Japan Forest" tank! Eight Mandarin Duck chicks were born on Sunday, June 23, 2019. Mandarin Duck duck chicks can swim immediately after birth, and are omnivorous like their parents, growing by eating plants and insects. Usually, only the female takes care of the young, and after about 40 to 45 days after hatching, they become the same as adult birds and leave the nest. We hope that you will feel the wonder of the birth of life by watching the fluffy chicks, which can only be seen now, follow their parents, and the parents watch over the chicks and preen them. *This is the first time that mandarin Mandarin Duck have been laid and born at Kaiyukan . About the chicks born this time Egg laying date: May 2-28, 2019 Hatching date: June 23, 2019 8 chicks Body length: Approximately 10cm (Estimated as of June 26) Mandarin Duck: Unknown (not measured) About the mandarin duck English name: Mandarin duck Scientific name: Aix galericulata Widely distributed in East Asia, in Japan it breeds in Hokkaido and north of central Honshu. It prefers mountain lakes and ponds surrounded by forests and builds nests in nearby tree holes. When fully grown, males reach a size of about 48cm and females 41cm. They are omnivorous, mainly eating herbivores, and the morphology of males and females is different, with males' winter plumage being particularly vivid. The breeding season is from April to July, and females lay 7-12 eggs at a time and incubate the eggs for about a month. Only females raise the young, and the chicks take 40-45 days to become the same as adult birds and leave the nest. About the "Japan Forest" tank "Japan Forest" tank is modeled after a typical Japanese broadleaf forest, and also displays seasonal flowers. In addition to plants, the aquarium is divided into five sections: Asian Asian small clawed otter otters, waterfowl, Japanese giant salamander, mountain stream fish, and Japanese freshwater crab, and displays a wide variety of creatures that mainly live in freshwater areas. The "Waterfowl" section displays three Mandarin Duck ducks (one male, two females), as well as a mixture of waterfowl such as Black-crowned night heron and tufted ducks, and fish such as Ayu sweetfish and silver crucian Ginbuna（Japanese Name）. *Currently, the number of species being kept and exhibited in the "Waterfowl" section is being adjusted so that Mandarin Duck can concentrate on raising their young.

2019.06.13

Living creature information

A baby Southern rockhopper penguin was born!

In the "Falkland Islands(Malvinas)" tank, you can see the adorable babies and the heartwarming rearing process. A total of six Southern rockhopper penguin chicks were born between June 6th (Thursday) and June 8th (Saturday), 2019. Five of the chicks are being raised up close in the "Falkland Islands(Malvinas)" tank, which is open to the public. The remaining chick is being artificially raised by a aquarium keeper in the back yard, acting as a parent. The parent birds are currently raising the chicks diligently. The chicks hide under the parent bird's belly, but you can see them pop out and chirp when the parent bird moves.

2019.04.22

news

Felissimo x Kaiyukan "King penguin 3-Transformation Plush Toy" now on sale!

Felissimo Corporation and Kaiyukan have collaborated to create a King penguin that changes three times, from egg to chick to adult, and it is on sale at the official shop on the 3rd floor of Kaiyukan entrance building! This product was supervised by the penguin breeders at Kaiyukan, and is packed with attention to detail, such as faithfully recreating the size of the egg and the animal's physical characteristics down to the smallest detail. *If you have any questions about this product, please contact Kaiyukan Information. Product name: King penguin 3-change stuffed animal Price: 2,600 yen (excluding tax) Location: Official shop on the 3rd floor of the entrance building Inquiries: Kaiyukan Information 06-6576-5501

2019.03.28

news

We are opening a new section called "What we can do for the future environment"

"What we can do for the future environment" New corner will be opened New corner will be opened and various programs will be implemented From Monday, April 1, 2019, a new corner will be set up in the "New Experience Area" to introduce plastic combs found in the stomach of a Whale shark and to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ethical consumption in order to create an opportunity to think about disposable plastic waste, which is a global marine environmental problem. Environmental awareness corner to be set up in the new experience area (overall image) In addition, as one of the efforts to start doing what we can for the future of the earth, we will change the product bags used in the shops in the Aquarium from plastic to paper bags. In addition, various programs will be held as part of the "What we can do for the future environment" campaign for three months until Sunday, June 30, including Environment Month. In 2013, Kaiyukan set up a "New Experience Area" with the theme of areas affected by environmental changes on a global scale. Here, we have conveyed the relationship between living things and the natural environment through hands-on exhibits, but now the issue of marine plastic waste is drawing more attention, and international efforts are placing emphasis on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, with the G20 Osaka Summit being held at the end of June, we, as a local facility, would like to make an even greater contribution to raising awareness of global environmental issues. At Kaiyukan, we will continue to contribute even more to raising awareness of environmental issues that are spreading on a global scale. Please note that some of the exhibit content will be changed from Saturday, December 26, 2020. →See more details

2019.03.20

news

[Currently underway] Mini special exhibition "Pen! Pen! Pepen! Penguin Exhibition"

A mini special exhibition, "Pen! Pen! Pepen! Penguin Exhibition" is currently being held! This mini special exhibition takes a look behind the scenes of the renovation work on the "Antarctica" tank. You can see the process leading up to the construction, the movement of the creatures, and the construction in progress. There is also an exhibition of models that allow you to compare the ecology and morphology of the four types of penguins kept at Kaiyukan. ◆ Period: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 to Monday, July 15, 2019 (National Holiday) ◆ Time: Same as Kaiyukan business hours ◆ Location: Kaiyukan viewing room ◆ Fee: Included in Kaiyukan admission fee ◆ For inquiries: Kaiyukan Information 06-6576-5501