Ikeda Zoo, Zoo at Mount Kyō, Kita-ku, Japan
Ikeda Zoo is an animal facility at Mount Kyō in Kita-ku, Japan, that houses 100 different species including giraffes, lions, zebras, red pandas, flamingos, and Magellanic penguins across hilly terrain. The enclosures spread across multiple levels and fit into the natural mountainous landscape.
The facility was founded to showcase wildlife in the mountainous Okayama region and evolved over the decades. Over time, historic railway pieces were added, including a steam locomotive from Ikasa Railway and passenger cars from Saidaiji Railway.
The grounds host regular feeding sessions where visitors help care for capybaras, penguins, and black bears following Japanese conservation principles. These activities let guests observe the animals closely and learn more about their natural behaviors.
The grounds open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM between April and October, and close at 4:30 PM from November through March. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the terrain includes several hills and some paths can be steep.
Among the residents lives Sun, a white tiger that arrived in 2019 and represents one of only 40 white tigers in Japanese animal collections. The rare white coloring comes from a genetic variation and draws many visitors.
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