Noichi Zoological Park of the Kochi Prefecture, Zoological park in Kōnan, Japan
The Noichi Zoological Park of the Kochi Prefecture is a zoo in Konan, Japan, organized into habitat zones that include temperate forests, tropical areas, and African savannas. The grounds are divided into clearly separated sections, each housing a different group of species.
The park opened in 1991, built with the goal of bringing wildlife education to Kochi Prefecture. Since then, new sections have been added over the years to house a wider range of species.
The park draws families from across Kochi Prefecture, and on weekends the paths fill with children watching animals at close range. Many enclosures are designed so that visitors can see the animals from ground level, without barriers blocking the view.
The park is laid out so that walking between sections is straightforward, with clear paths connecting each habitat zone. A full day is a good amount of time to move through all areas without rushing.
Among the animals kept here are shoebills, large birds with a wide, flat beak that is rarely seen in zoos outside Africa. They tend to stand very still for long periods, which sometimes leads visitors to think they are not real.
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