A new trend is sweeping through zoos in Japan and Europe – the implementation of "vacations" for animals has begun. The initiative aims to allow zoo inhabitants to rest from the constant attention of visitors, to recover mentally and physically and to live closer to their natural rhythm.
In Japan, the pilot program has been launched in the Ueno and Zurasha zoos in Yokohama, which are part of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA). In recent years, the association has been actively promoting initiatives related to "animal welfare" — the care of the mental and physical condition of the animals. According to the management, within the framework of the program, several times a year the zoos are temporarily closed to visitors for a period of several days, so that the animals "can rest from human noise" and adapt to a more natural environment.
In Europe, similar practices have already been adopted by a number of modern zoos — among them the Berlin and Vienna Zoo, as well as the "Ranua" Wildlife Park in Finland. In these zoos, a rotational principle is applied: for certain animals, access for visitors is temporarily restricted so that they can recover after active tourist seasons. According to a representative of the Vienna Zoo "Schönbrunn" — "animals, like people, experience information overload, and sessions of solitude are part of the humane care for them".
Studies by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) show that over 60% of animal species show signs of anxiety during peak tourist months. The temporary termination of visitor access leads to a decrease in stress levels and improvement in reproductive indicators in many species — for example, in large cats, pandas and primates.
According to the Japanese newspaper "Asahi Shimbun", in the zoos that have introduced rest days, positive results have been observed during the first six months: the animals' actions become more natural, and their appetite and immunity improve. Visitors also show understanding – more and more Japanese appreciate that the visible joy and tranquility of the animals is an indicator of quality care.
According to experts, the program can become a sustainable working model for zoos around the world. Parks in France, Germany and the Czech Republic are now discussing its introduction. The pilot project was also approved by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), which includes over 1,300 member institutions worldwide.