[Zoo Studies Association Established] Building the Foundation for Japan's First "Zoo Studies" | Crowdfunding Begins on CAMPFIRE

The Zoo Studies Association of Japan, established in April 2026, is launching a crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE starting in May 2026, aimed at building its research foundation and organizing an information dissemination system.

With the slogan "Opening Doors of Knowledge for the Future from Zoos," the association aims to transform zoos into "transdisciplinary hubs of practice" that lead biodiversity conservation, animal welfare, education, and social change, rather than merely being exhibition or entertainment facilities.

■ About the Zoo Studies Association
The Zoo Studies Association of Japan is an academic organization dedicated to connecting the theory, practice, and societal aspects of zoos.

Globally, the role of zoos is shifting from "exhibition facilities" to "conservation hubs." However, in Japan, the academic infrastructure to support the intersection of practice, research, and societal connection for zoos is not yet sufficiently developed.

The association was founded to address this challenge. It aims to be Japan's first academic platform where diverse individuals, including zoo staff, researchers, veterinarians, educators, and citizens, can collaborate to think about and nurture the future of zoos.

By reconnecting sites of practice with research and society, the association aims to foster a future-oriented "conservation culture."

*Note on "Japan's first": This is based on the description in Yoichi Sadatomo's book "Thinking About Zoos: Beyond Differences Between Japan and the World" (University of Tokyo Press), which states that Zoo Studies in Japan "have not yet been established in the form of academic societies or journals."

■ Goals of the Zoo Studies Association
The association operates on the following four pillars:
1. Forming a transdisciplinary platform connecting zoo practice, academic research, students, and citizens.
2. Establishing media to record and publish research and discussions.
3. Creating mechanisms to promote research, collaboration, support, and talent development related to zoos.
4. Fostering a conservation culture and proposing activities for social change.

The issues surrounding zoos cannot be solved by zoology (biology) alone. It requires the formation of a "transdisciplinary area" that coordinates with various fields such as history, pedagogy, and business management, as well as society. This is the "Zoo Studies" we aim for.

■ Purpose of Crowdfunding
This crowdfunding campaign is being implemented not merely as a fundraiser, but as a project to "recruit allies to grow zoo culture together." Collected funds will be used for the association's foundation, research activities, and information dissemination systems.

The project offers various returns, such as original commemorative goods and limited lecture videos that provide a glimpse into the world of "Zoo Studies."

*Goods and lecture videos are scheduled to be provided/shipped from September 2026.

■ Planned Use of Funds
First Goal: 3 million JPY
1. Website launch (planned for July)
2. Publication of the academic journal (planned for September)
3. Hosting the commemorative conference (November 13-15) at Nihon University Shonan Campus

Second Goal (Next Goal): 5 million JPY
4. Promotion of research activities (e.g., Oral History Project)