On April 23, 2025, Sapporo City conducted an on-site inspection of North Safari Sapporo, a private zoo located in the Minami Ward of Sapporo, which has come under scrutiny for operating without the necessary permits in a city planning zone. The inspection aimed to assess the status of animal relocation as the zoo prepares for its closure, as well as to evaluate the living conditions of the remaining animals.
The operating company, Success Kanko, announced in March 2025 that the zoo will close by the end of September 2025. According to a relocation plan submitted to the city, the zoo houses a total of 640 mammals, birds, and reptiles. By the end of March 2025, approximately one-third of these animals, or 210, had already been moved to facilities outside the park. An additional 72 animals are scheduled to be relocated by the end of September 2025.
This inspection marks the first time the city has conducted an on-site check regarding the zoo's illegal construction issues. Tsukasa Chiba, the director of the Animal Welfare and Management Center at Sapporo's health department, noted that over 300 animals, including certain species that could pose a danger to humans, still lack a confirmed relocation plan. Chiba urged the zoo to expedite the relocation process while ensuring the animals are handled with care.
During the inspection, Chiba and two other officials spent about an hour and a half reviewing the relocation plan and assessing the conditions of various animals, including lions and wolves. Chiba confirmed that animals such as meerkats and kinkajous were relocated by the end of March 2025, and around 40 additional animals, including marmots and squirrels, were moved out after April 2025. He remarked, "I received the impression that the overall relocation is being expedited." However, he also pointed out that no violations of laws or regulations were observed regarding the animals' living conditions.
North Safari Sapporo, situated about 30 minutes by car from Sapporo's city center, is known for allowing visitors to interact closely with the animals. The zoo has been featured in various television variety shows, but it has recently faced criticism for its exhibition practices, which some argue are inappropriate from an animal welfare perspective.
The zoo's location falls entirely within a city planning zone, which mandates that prior permission be obtained from the city for the construction of animal enclosures and other facilities. The city had previously identified illegal construction at the site in 2004, the year before the zoo opened, and had repeatedly issued administrative guidance to the operators. Despite these warnings, the number of buildings continued to increase.
As part of the closure plan, Success Kanko has committed to ensuring that all animals are relocated safely. By the end of March 2025, the company reported that it had moved 210 animals out of the zoo, including species like the barn owl and the Aldabra giant tortoise. The plan outlines that 95 more animals are to be moved throughout the fiscal year, and the remaining 335 animals are scheduled for relocation in the fiscal year 2026 and beyond.
Chiba emphasized the importance of careful planning for the relocation of larger animals, such as lions and tigers, as well as elderly animals, whose future homes have not yet been determined. The health and safety of both the animals and the public remain a top priority for the city as it navigates this complex situation.
The inspection and subsequent actions taken by Sapporo City reflect a growing commitment to animal welfare and regulatory compliance in the face of previous oversights. As the zoo approaches its closure date, the focus will remain on ensuring that all animals are moved to appropriate facilities where their needs can be met.
In light of the ongoing scrutiny of animal rights and welfare, the case of North Safari Sapporo serves as a critical reminder of the responsibilities that come with operating such facilities. The city’s proactive measures aim to prevent any further violations and to foster a safer environment for both animals and visitors.
As the North Safari Sapporo prepares for its final closure, the efforts of Sapporo City officials and animal welfare advocates will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the animals that have called the zoo home. The outcome of this situation will likely influence how similar facilities operate in the future, ensuring that they adhere to both legal standards and ethical practices.
