Chiba Zoological Park Aims to Breed Gorillas, Begins Full-Scale Environmental Improvement
Shiki no Mori Animal Clinic, in cooperation with Chiba Zoological Park, installed Zelkova trees in the gorilla enclosure to promote natural behavior and successful pairing.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 25, 2026 at 04:02 (17h 30m after Collected)
Shiki no Mori Animal Clinic Medical Skin Care Center (Headquarters: Toyoake City, Aichi Prefecture / Director & Veterinarian: Masato Hirakawa) installed a tree (Zelkova) in the outdoor exhibition area on March 18, 2026. This was conducted as part of an initiative based on an agreement signed on October 7, 2025, with Chiba Zoological Park (Location: Wakaba Ward, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture / Director: Issei Kaburagi). At Chiba Zoological Park, where the pairing of gorillas (building a relationship between individuals for breeding) is underway, improving the exhibition environment has become an important theme, and they have started creating an environment closer to nature, such as installing trees in the outdoor exhibition area.
Through this initiative, we will contribute to creating an environment where gorillas can draw out their natural behaviors and spend their time more comfortably, as well as create opportunities for visitors to learn about animal ecology and the environment.
Installing a Tree (Zelkova) in the Center of the Outdoor Exhibition Area
Currently, the park is in the process of pairing two gorillas. Gorilla pairing is extremely delicate and is greatly affected by the environment and stress, so this kind of environmental improvement holds the key to success. In order to prepare an environment that draws out natural behaviors inherent to gorillas such as "climbing," "resting," and "moving," a tree (Zelkova) was recently installed in the outdoor exhibition area.
By creating a more three-dimensional and variable space compared to the conventional exhibition environment, we expect it to contribute to how individuals maintain their distance and form relationships. In addition, communicating these environmental improvement efforts to visitors serves an educational role, providing an opportunity to learn what kind of environment animals naturally live in and deepening understanding of animal welfare and ecosystems.
About the "Spinning the Future Gorilla Project"
Chiba Zoological Park has set "initiatives to bring the exhibition area closer to the habitat and draw out the original ecology of wildlife" and "initiatives aimed at acquiring and utilizing academic knowledge to spin the future of gorillas" as major themes. This is a project aimed at improving the current gorilla rearing environment, enhancing animal welfare, encouraging the manifestation of original gorilla behavior, and scientifically verifying behavioral changes and effects to acquire new knowledge and utilize it to improve future gorilla rearing techniques and maintain gorilla exhibition areas.
Future Outlook
At Chiba Zoological Park, a public viewing of the two gorillas in the same exhibition area is planned. (Timing undecided)
Currently (as of April 2026), the pairing of the individuals is progressing on closed days, and depending on the progress, a public viewing in the same outdoor exhibition area may be realized. Through these initiatives, it is expected that an environment where visitors can observe gorillas in a more natural setting will be developed.
Monta (Male): 41 years old (Born September 25, 1984) - Honest personality, particular about food with a stubborn side, loves to eat (except vegetables)
Momoka (Female): 13 years old (Born April 24, 2023) - Tomboyish and active, with a delicate and nervous side, loves red-colored food (tomatoes, paprika)
In addition, our clinic is considering support to expand the range of animal behaviors and support regarding facilities to grasp their daily health conditions. We hope to connect this activity to creating an environment where animals can live in a more natural way, while simultaneously improving the quality of health management based on knowledge cultivated through behavioral medicine.
About "Yorisoi Life with"
A project led by Shiki no Mori Animal Clinic to build better relationships between animals and people from the perspective of animal welfare. Utilizing veterinary knowledge, we are developing activities connected to the future of animals through education and information dissemination.
About Chiba Zoological Park
Chiba Zoological Park is a zoo that emphasizes "species preservation" and "education/environmental education." We focus on learning and information dissemination through animals, and we will collaborate utilizing that knowledge and dissemination power.
About Shiki no Mori Animal Clinic Medical Skin Care Center
Shiki no Mori Animal Clinic is conducting initiatives connecting animal welfare and society by utilizing veterinary expertise. We will continue to handle planning and supervision from a medical perspective and disseminate information that deepens understanding of animal lives and ecology.
Through this initiative, we will contribute to creating an environment where gorillas can draw out their natural behaviors and spend their time more comfortably, as well as create opportunities for visitors to learn about animal ecology and the environment.
Installing a Tree (Zelkova) in the Center of the Outdoor Exhibition Area
Currently, the park is in the process of pairing two gorillas. Gorilla pairing is extremely delicate and is greatly affected by the environment and stress, so this kind of environmental improvement holds the key to success. In order to prepare an environment that draws out natural behaviors inherent to gorillas such as "climbing," "resting," and "moving," a tree (Zelkova) was recently installed in the outdoor exhibition area.
By creating a more three-dimensional and variable space compared to the conventional exhibition environment, we expect it to contribute to how individuals maintain their distance and form relationships. In addition, communicating these environmental improvement efforts to visitors serves an educational role, providing an opportunity to learn what kind of environment animals naturally live in and deepening understanding of animal welfare and ecosystems.
About the "Spinning the Future Gorilla Project"
Chiba Zoological Park has set "initiatives to bring the exhibition area closer to the habitat and draw out the original ecology of wildlife" and "initiatives aimed at acquiring and utilizing academic knowledge to spin the future of gorillas" as major themes. This is a project aimed at improving the current gorilla rearing environment, enhancing animal welfare, encouraging the manifestation of original gorilla behavior, and scientifically verifying behavioral changes and effects to acquire new knowledge and utilize it to improve future gorilla rearing techniques and maintain gorilla exhibition areas.
Future Outlook
At Chiba Zoological Park, a public viewing of the two gorillas in the same exhibition area is planned. (Timing undecided)
Currently (as of April 2026), the pairing of the individuals is progressing on closed days, and depending on the progress, a public viewing in the same outdoor exhibition area may be realized. Through these initiatives, it is expected that an environment where visitors can observe gorillas in a more natural setting will be developed.
Monta (Male): 41 years old (Born September 25, 1984) - Honest personality, particular about food with a stubborn side, loves to eat (except vegetables)
Momoka (Female): 13 years old (Born April 24, 2023) - Tomboyish and active, with a delicate and nervous side, loves red-colored food (tomatoes, paprika)
In addition, our clinic is considering support to expand the range of animal behaviors and support regarding facilities to grasp their daily health conditions. We hope to connect this activity to creating an environment where animals can live in a more natural way, while simultaneously improving the quality of health management based on knowledge cultivated through behavioral medicine.
About "Yorisoi Life with"
A project led by Shiki no Mori Animal Clinic to build better relationships between animals and people from the perspective of animal welfare. Utilizing veterinary knowledge, we are developing activities connected to the future of animals through education and information dissemination.
About Chiba Zoological Park
Chiba Zoological Park is a zoo that emphasizes "species preservation" and "education/environmental education." We focus on learning and information dissemination through animals, and we will collaborate utilizing that knowledge and dissemination power.
About Shiki no Mori Animal Clinic Medical Skin Care Center
Shiki no Mori Animal Clinic is conducting initiatives connecting animal welfare and society by utilizing veterinary expertise. We will continue to handle planning and supervision from a medical perspective and disseminate information that deepens understanding of animal lives and ecology.