Morioka Zoo, Zoo in Morioka, Japan
Morioka Zoo opened on 22 April 1989 on a hilly site next to Iwayama Park and Iwayama Parkland in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. Its Japan Ecology Zone shows native species such as Asian black bears, Japanese macaques and sika deer, while the Africa Zone, opened in 1991, and the Victoria Corner with pumas, Canadian otters and bighorn sheep make up the rest of the grounds.
Morioka Zoo opened on 22 April 1989 as a project marking the 100th anniversary of Morioka's city status. An African area was added in 1991. The Morioka Zoo Public Corporation ran it until April 2020, when Morioka Park Management took over; after renovation, it reopened on 20 April 2023.
The Victoria Corner displays pumas, Canadian otters and bighorn sheep, named after Morioka's sister city Victoria in Canada. The zoo also runs a Japan Ecosystem Zone with Asian black bears, Japanese macaques and sika deer, opened in 1991 alongside the Africa Zone.
The zoo closes each year from December to March for the winter, though occasional special opening days are sometimes scheduled during that period. It sits on a hillside next to Iwayama Park and Iwayama Parkland, and reopened on 20 April 2023 after renovation work. On 3 June 2023 it closed temporarily because a wild Asian black bear had entered the grounds.
In 2021 the zoo announced that all 15 of its domestic rabbits had been euthanised in December 2020 to stop the spread of pasteurellosis, which causes chronic rhinitis. Symptoms first appeared in May 2019, recurred repeatedly, and by mid-November 2020 had infected all 15 animals despite antibiotic injections and disinfection of the hutches. The decision drew both support and criticism.
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