Japan primate zoo known for monkeys by bonfires to close for renovation
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- The Japan Monkey Centre, a primate zoo in central Japan known for its winter tradition of monkeys warming themselves by bonfires, wi
The Japan Monkey Centre, a primate zoo in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, renowned for its tradition of monkeys gathering by bonfires during the winter, is set to undergo a significant renovation that will force its closure starting mid-October.
The beloved facility, home to around 700 monkeys representing approximately 50 species, will only reopen on weekends and holidays from September, ultimately reopening several years later. During the closure, the zoo plans to maintain communication with visitors and the public through social media updates and host events exclusively for registered members.
The tradition of bonfires at the zoo dates back to 1959, three years after its establishment, when staff burned fallen trees from a massive typhoon, and the resident monkeys were observed gathering around the fire. This act of camaraderie with the bonfires marked the beginning of the zoo's unique tradition that continues to this day.
The zoo was the first in Japan to house mountain gorillas, and it is recognized as one of the world's leading primate care and research facilities, working closely with partners such as Kyoto University's Institute for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior. Since 2014, the zoo has been operated by a Kyoto University-linked nonprofit foundation, with funding primarily coming from admission fees and donations labeled as "Goshien," a Japanese play on words for support and monkey.
However, the zoo has faced various challenges, with the need for extensive renovation due to deteriorating fencing, aged paintwork, insufficient space for the animals, and potential damage from natural disasters like earthquakes. The renovation will also encompass improvements to air conditioning and walkways within the zoo, with an official stating, "We will carry out a complete overhaul to make this a comfortable place for both the monkeys and our visitors."
Meanwhile, the adjacent Japan Monkey Park amusement park, run as a subsidiary of Nagoya Railroad, will continue its normal operations, unaffected by the closure of the nearby primate zoo.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
