Breeding Project for Tsushima Leopard Cats

As part of the Program for Rehabilitation of Natural Habitats and Maintenance of Viable Populations for Tsushima Leopard Cats, the Ministry of the Environment, with the cooperation of the Fukuoka City Zoological Park, has successfully bred 23 Tsushima leopard cats. Last year, the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo and the Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia in Yokohama participated in the breeding project. This result confirms that the project is working successfully.
In order to reduce the risk that these cats, kept in the same facility, may be affected by infectious diseases and other negative events, 2 Tsushima leopard cats will be transferred to the Toyama Municipal Family Park Zoo in Toyama City for feeding and keeping.
In the Inokashira Park Zoo and the Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia, visitors will be able to see Tsushima leopard cats beginning on October 20th.The purpose of this opening to the public is to raise the awareness of conservation of the Tsushima leopard cat.
Additionally, 3 kittens born during 2006 and 2007 in the Fukuoka City Zoological Park will be transferred to Tsushima Island, the home of the Tsushima leopard cat.
In return, 2 captured wild Tsushima leopard cats will be transferred to Tokyo and Yokohama for the 2007 captive breeding project, in order to improve the genetic biodiversity of individuals kept there. And the Fukuoka City Zoological Park will also continue the captive breeding project in 2007.

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