Sapporo City Ordinance on Zoos

The below English translation is provided for a non-Japanese speaking audience for convenience only and not to be construed as official and legally effective.

Date created: 1/10/2022 Edition No. 1

Sapporo City Ordinance on Zoos

Ordinance No.30 of 6th June 2022

Contents

Preamble

Chapter I General Provisions (Article 1 – Article 6)

Chapter II Zoos (Article 7 – Article 9)

Chapter III Accredited Zoos (Article 10)

Chapter IV Maruyama Zoo (Article 11 – Article 19)

Chapter V Zoo Support Fund (Article 20 – Article 22)

Chapter VI Citizens’ Zoo Council (Article 23)

Chapter VII Miscellaneous Provision (Article 24)

  Supplementary Provisions

 

In Japan, zoos have kept a variety of animals from around the globe, made efforts for breeding these animals, and through animal exhibits and educational activities, communicated information to the public on wild animal that has been gained through research. People have become familiar with zoos as places of relaxation where they can not only appreciate the wonders of nature and living creatures but also enhance their intellectual curiosity through the observation of living wild animals.

In the meantime, biodiversity on our planet is being lost rapidly and many wild animals are in danger of extinction, making zoos’ roles of conservation of biodiversity increasingly important.

At the same time, in recent years, the idea of satisfying the needs of the animals under human care and providing enriched lives for them has been recognised widely around the world. Zoos are required to care for their animals on the basis of scientific knowledge and provide appropriate veterinary care while considering the safeguarding of wild animal for the future.

The City of Sapporo established Maruyama Zoo in 1951 to provide children with a place to learn and the public with a place of relaxation and recreation. The zoo has since become a popular place. However, the attention to ensuring the desirable welfare of animals was insufficient, resulting in an accident that caused the loss of the precious life of an animal. Reflecting upon this incident, the City of Sapporo has reviewed the system and organisational structure for animal management at the Maruyama Zoo and its long-term operation plan, with a focus on ensuring desirable animal welfare and the conservation of biodiversity.

However, the zoos’ role of conservation of biodiversity has not been recognised widely in Japanese society, and the existing laws and regulations do not clearly indicate how zoos should fulfil their role in our society. These factors have made the management of zoos in Japan, including Maruyama Zoo, inconsistent and insecure. For the sustainable operation of zoos, it is critical to change this condition.

Therefore, we enact this Ordinance in order to clarify the zoos’ role of biodiversity conservation and their responsibility of ensuring good animal welfare, and to build through collaboration with various partners a mechanism that connects zoos’ efforts with wild animal conservation more effectively, and thereby create and foster a society in which nature and people coexist in harmony so that wild animal can continue to exist for generations to come.

 

Chapter I General Provisions

 

 (Purpose)

Article 1  In consideration of the important role of zoos in conservation of biodiversity through wild animal conservation, the purpose of this Ordinance is to define the fundamental principle behind the activities of zoos, clarify the respective responsibilities of the City, the residents, and businesses, and determine the framework of municipal measures concerning zoos, thereby contributing to the conservation of wild animals for present and future generations and the realisation of a sustainable society in which nature and people can coexist in harmony.

 

 (Definition)

Article 2  In this Ordinance, the meanings of the terms listed in the following items shall be as prescribed respectively in those items:

 (i) Biodiversity: “Biodiversity” as defined in Article 2 (1) of the Basic Act on Biodiversity (Act No. 58 of 2008).

 (ii) Wild animal: an animal that has not been domesticated and lives in a natural habitat (including those individuals that are kept or bred in zoos).

 (iii) Zoo: a facility, regardless of its name that includes, but not limited to: zoo, aquarium, insectarium; that keeps primarily wild animals and exhibit them for the purpose of contributing to biodiversity conservation, participating in ex situ conservation through propagation of wild animals and practising research and education in the area of wild animal conservation.

 (iv) Animal welfare: an animal’s physical and psychological condition resulting from the environment in which the animal is placed.

 (v) In situ conservation: the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and restoration of viable populations of species in their natural habitats.

 (vi) Ex situ conservation: the conservation of components of biodiversity outside their natural habitats, primarily to complement in situ conservation.

 (vii) Multi-generational breeding: the maintenance of an animal population in human care through stable breeding of the animal for three or more generations.

 

 (Fundamental Principles)

Article 3  (1) The activities of a zoo shall be carried out with the aim of contributing to the conservation of biodiversity through the conservation of wild animals while ensuring the good state of animal welfare for the animals kept in the zoo (hereinafter referred to as “Animals in Zoo Care”).

(2) The activities of a zoo shall be conducted with the aim of providing opportunities to recognise that wild animals and the environment surrounding them are important components of the ecosystems, thereby fostering a rich sense of humanity and sensitivity.

(3) In carrying out the activities of a zoo, efforts shall be made to ensure they are undertaken in cooperation with citizens and businesses.

 

 (City’s Responsibility)

Article 4  The city shall be responsible for establishing comprehensive measures and their implementation concerning the promotion of the efforts toward biodiversity conservation by zoos in accordance with the Fundamental Principle set forth in the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "Fundamental Principle.")

 

 (Residents’ Responsibility)

Article 5  Citizens are to recognise the importance of biodiversity conservation and remain mindful of it in their daily lives, and they shall make efforts to help zoos with their work in conserving biodiversity.

 

 (Businesses’ Responsibility)

Article 6  Businesses (excluding those operating zoos) shall deepen their understanding of zoos’ work towards biodiversity conservation and cooperate with them, and shall endeavour to be mindful of biodiversity conservation in conducting their business.

 

Chapter II Zoos

 

 (Conservation Activities)

Article 7  (1) Zoos shall conduct the following activities in order to achieve the Purpose of this Ordinance:

 (i) Matters concerning the collection and acquisition of animals.

 (ii) Matters concerning research and studies of the conservation of wild animals.

 (iii) Matters concerning the exhibition of animals in order to demonstrate the lives of wild animals and their habitats.

 (iv) Matters concerning educational activities in order to foster the awareness of wild animal conservation and encourage action.

 (v) Matters concerning the multi-generational breeding for ex situ conservation.

 (vi) Matters concerning the exchange of information on wild animal conservation with relevant organisations and agencies.

 (2) In addition to what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, zoos shall endeavour to carry out work that is necessary for the advancement of wild animal conservation including, but not limited to, in situ conservation.

 

 (Ensuring Good Animal Welfare)

Article 8  (1) In order to ensure good animal welfare of the Animals in Zoo Care based on the latest scientific knowledge, zoos shall endeavour to keep their animals in the environment that meets species-specific requirements as well as individual needs, and shall be prepared with a veterinary care system that is capable of the prevention and treatment of diseases.

(2) Zoos shall establish regulations concerning animal welfare (hereinafter referred to as “Animal Welfare Regulations”), and shall evaluate the welfare of their Animals in Zoo Care regularly, taking corrective measures as necessary.

(3) Zoos shall periodically review and make necessary changes to the Animal Welfare Regulations based on the latest scientific knowledge and professional advice.

 

 (Publication of Information on Activities)

Article 9  Zoos shall publish a report appropriately publicising the status of their efforts with regard to the matters stipulated in the preceding two Articles via the internet and/or other appropriate methods.

 

Chapter III Accredited Zoos

 

Article 10  (1) To promote the sound development of zoos and thereby contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, the mayor may, upon application, certify the zoos (excluding Maruyama Zoo) as Sapporo City Accredited Zoos (hereinafter referred to as “Accredited Zoos”) when they are judged to meet the Purpose and the Fundamental Principle of this Ordinance according to the requirements that are specified separately (referred to as “Accreditation Requirements” in paragraph (4)).

(2) When certifying a zoo, the mayor must seek the opinions of the Citizens’ Zoo Council in advance.

(3) To improve the understanding and raise the awareness of citizens, businesses, and others in the wild animal conservation activities of Accredited Zoos, the mayor shall endeavour to publicise the conservation activities of Accredited Zoos, and shall provide the Accredited Zoos with information, advice, and other necessary support concerning the conservation activities.

(4) Upon discovery that an Accredited Zoo no longer conforms to the Accreditation Requirements, the mayor may revoke the accreditation.

 

Chapter IV Maruyama Zoo

 

 (Formulation of Operational Policies and Implementation Plans)

Article 11  (1) The mayor shall formulate comprehensive and systematic operational policies (hereinafter referred to as the “Operational Policies” in this Article) for the operation of Maruyama Zoo.

(2) The mayor shall formulate a medium-term and specific plan for the operation of Maruyama Zoo (referred to as the “Implementation Plans” in the following paragraph and paragraph (4)) in order to implement the operation of Maruyama Zoo in accordance with the Operational Policies.

(3) The Operational Policies and Implementation Plans shall be developed in a manner consistent with the matters set forth in this Ordinance.

(4) The mayor shall review the Operation Policies and Implementation Plans as needed and make necessary changes, taking into account changes in circumstances related to the conservation of biodiversity and in accordance with the state of implementation of city measures.

 

 (Ensuring Good Animal Welfare at Maruyama Zoo)

Article 12  (1) The city shall be evaluated regularly by the Citizens’ Zoo Council as to whether or not the good animal welfare of Animals in Zoo Care is ensured at Maruyama Zoo.

(2) The city shall improve the operation and management of Maruyama Zoo appropriately in response to the results of the evaluation set forth in the preceding paragraph, and shall publicly announce the status of response to the results of said evaluation.

(3) The city shall seek the opinions of the Citizens' Zoo Council prior to the establishment and revision of the Animal Welfare Regulations of Maruyama Zoo.

(4) In the event that the Animal Welfare Regulations set forth in the preceding paragraph are revised, the city shall promptly publicise such revisions.

(5) Staff members in a position to manage or supervise the operations of Maruyama Zoo shall pay special attention to the upkeep and improvement of the organisational management system in order to ensure good animal welfare in work such as the daily care and medical treatment of the Animals in Zoo Care at Maruyama Zoo. In addition, staff members who perform duties concerning the Animals in Zoo Care at Maruyama Zoo such as their care and medical treatment shall be aware that such duties bear critical responsibilities that affect the lives and health conditions of the Animals in Zoo Care, and shall pay special attention to ensuring good animal welfare in performing such duties.

 

 (Maruyama Zoo Animal Welfare Day)

Article 13  In order to promote the understanding and interest among citizens concerning animal welfare and to increase the awareness among Maruyama Zoo staff for the improvement of animal welfare, 25 July shall be designated as Maruyama Zoo Animal Welfare Day, and the activities designed to contribute to the improvement of animal welfare, including public education programmes, workshops, and others, shall be held.

 

 (Principles for Animal Exhibits and Educational Activities)

Article 14  In providing animal exhibits and educational activities at Maruyama Zoo, information concerning wild animals shall be accurate, the animals’ dignity shall be respected, and the practices listed below shall be prohibited. However, in consideration of the practice listed in Item (i), the prohibition shall not apply if the Citizens’ Zoo Council judges that the practice contributes to biodiversity conservation and assures good animal welfare.

 (i) Offering the visitors and programme participants opportunities of direct contact with wild animals.

 (ii) Imposing upon an animal an anthropomorphic appearance, posture, or behaviour.

(iii) Displaying incorrect and false interpretations of animals and their lives using human appearances and behaviours.

 

 (Development and Management of Facilities)

Article 15  (1) When improving and/or developing the facilities of Maruyama Zoo, the city shall pay attention to the contribution to biodiversity conservation and good animal welfare.

(2) In managing the facilities of Maruyama Zoo, the city shall take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Animals in Zoo Care, and shall pay close attention to securing good animal welfare.

 

 (Crisis Management)

Article 16  The city shall pay attention to the safety of the Animals in Zoo Care as well as that of visitors, staff, residents of the vicinity of Maruyama Zoo, and other parties who may be concerned (hereinafter referred to as “Visitors, et al.” in this Article), and, concerning those potentially life threatening events for Animals in Zoo Care and/or Visitors et al., such as natural disasters, infectious diseases, and escape of an Animal in Zoo Care, the City shall formulate plans to respond to such events and implement the system and organisation to execute said plans.

 

 (Collaboration)

Article 17  In order to execute operations and implement projects in Maruyama Zoo in accordance with the intent of this Ordinance, the city shall make efforts to promote active collaboration and cooperation between Maruyama Zoo, other entities in Japan, and other countries, including national and local governments and agencies, universities and research institutions, other zoos, and the organisations related to zoos and their activities.

 

 (Securement of Staff with Expertise, etc.)

Article 18  (1) The city shall endeavour to secure staff with expert knowledge or experience in wild animal veterinary care and animal husbandry and management, etc., for proper implementation of animal care, management, and other tasks at Maruyama Zoo in accordance with the intent of this Ordinance.

(2) The mayor shall endeavour to implement the measures necessary for Maruyama Zoo staff development such as provision of training, securing the opportunities for research and presentations, and others.

 

 (Publication, etc.）

Article 19　(1) The city shall communicate to the public the state of the operations of Maruyama Zoo including its efforts toward conservation of biodiversity through the use of the Internet or other appropriate methods.

(2) The city shall endeavour to appropriately reflect in the operation of Maruyama Zoo the opinions of the visitors, citizens, businesses, and others.

 

Chapter V Zoo Support Fund

 

 (Fostering of a Culture of Donations)

Article 20  The city shall endeavour to create the necessary environment for active financial support of zoos’ wild animal conservation activities and efforts to ensure good animal welfare  (hereinafter referred to as “wild animal Conservation Activities, etc.”) by citizens, businesses, and others as well as to foster a culture of donation for wild animal Conservation Activities, etc. at zoos through collaboration between citizens, businesses, and the city.

 

 (Zoo Support Fund)

Article 21  The city shall establish a Zoo Support Fund, as provided for in a separate ordinance, to contribute to fostering a culture of donation pertaining to zoos’ wild animal Conservation Activities, etc. and to promote zoos’ wild animal Conservation Activities, etc.

 

 (Financial Aid)

Article 22  (1) The mayor may use the Zoo Support Fund as described in the preceding article as a source of funding to provide Accredited Zoos with financial aid for wild animal Conservation Activities, etc.

(2) The mayor shall seek the opinions of the Citizens’ Zoo Council prior to providing the financial aid set forth in the preceding paragraph.

 

Chapter VI Citizens’ Zoo Council

 

Article 23  (1) The Citizens’ Zoo Council shall be established to study and deliberate matters necessary for the promotion of measures for the conservation of biodiversity at zoos.

(2) The Citizens’ Zoo Council shall perform the following duties:

 (i) Studying, deliberating, and offering opinions on measures related to zoos and the operation of Maruyama Zoo in response to the mayor’s consultation

 (ii) Studying, deliberating, and offering opinions on the establishment or revision of Maruyama Zoo’s Animal Welfare Regulations in response to the mayor’s consultation

(iii) Evaluating the efforts of Maruyama Zoo to ensure the good animal welfare of Animals in Zoo Care and providing opinions in response to the mayor’s consultation

(iv) Providing opinions on the certification of Accredited Zoos in response to the mayor’s consultation

(v) Providing opinions on financial aid to Accredited Zoos in response to the mayor’s consultation

(3) In addition to the duties listed in each item of the preceding paragraph, the Citizens’ Zoo Council may, when deemed necessary, express its opinions to the mayor on the measures pertaining to zoos and the operation of Maruyama Zoo.

(4) The Citizens’ Zoo Council shall be composed of up to 10 members.

(5) Council members shall be appointed by the mayor from among academic experts, residents who respond to the public call for applications, and others whom the mayor deems appropriate.

(6) A council member’s term of service shall be three (3) years. However, in the event of a mid-term vacancy, the alternate member’s term shall be the predecessor’s remaining term of service.

(7) Council members may be reappointed.

(8) Temporary members may be appointed to the Citizens’ Zoo Council when it is deemed necessary to have special matters studied or deliberated.

(9) The Citizens’ Zoo Council may establish committees as needed.

(10) The Citizens’ Zoo Council may adopt resolutions of committees as its resolutions, according to the rules of the council.

(11) General affairs of the Citizens’ Zoo Council shall be handled by the Environmental Bureau.

(12) In addition to what is provided for in the preceding paragraphs, matters necessary for the organisation and operation of the Citizens’ Zoo Council shall be determined by the mayor.

 

Chapter VII Miscellaneous Provisions

 

 (Delegation)

Article 24  Matters necessary for the enforcement of this Ordinance shall be determined by the mayor.

 

Supplementary Provisions

 (Effective Date)

Article 1  This Ordinance shall come into effect as of the date of promulgation. However, the provisions of Chapters 2 and 3, Article 22, Article 23(2)(iv) and (v), and Article 4 of the Supplementary Provisions (limited to the revised provisions of Article 8 of the Sapporo Fund Ordinance (Ordinance No. 6 of 1964)) shall come into effect as of the date determined by the mayor within a period not exceeding one year from the date of promulgation.

 

 (Partial Revision of the Ordinance for Establishment of Sapporo City - Affiliated Organisations)

Article 2  The Ordinance for Establishment of Sapporo City - Affiliated Organisations (Ordinance No. 43 of 2014) shall be partially revised as follows:

The item of “Citizens’ Zoo Council” shall be deleted from the section “Mayor” in Appendix 1.

 

 (Transitional Measures in Accordance with the Partial Revision of the Ordinance for Establishment of Sapporo City-Affiliated Organisations)

Article 3  Any person who, at the time of enforcement of this Ordinance, is actually a member of the Citizens’ Zoo Council provided in Appended 1 of the Ordinance for Establishment of Sapporo City - Affiliated Organisations before the revision under the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as “Former Citizens’ Zoo Council”) shall be deemed to have been appointed as a member of the Citizens’ Zoo Council pursuant to the provision of Article 23 (5) on the date of enforcement of this Ordinance. In this case, notwithstanding the provision of paragraph (6) of the same Article, the term of office of the member deemed to have been so appointed shall be the same as the remaining term of office as a member of the former Citizens’ Zoo Council on the same date.

 

 (Partial Revision of the Sapporo Fund Ordinance)

Article 4  Part of the Sapporo Fund Ordinance shall be revised as follows:

 (i) The following item shall be added to Article 2 (1).

 (xxiii) The Zoo Support Fund (hereinafter referred to as “Zoo Fund”) shall contribute to the promotion of zoos’ wild animal conservation activities and efforts to ensure good animal welfare (hereinafter referred to as “wild animal Conservation Activities, etc.”).

 (ii) In Article 4, “and the Anti-COVID-19 Support Fund” shall be replaced by“, the Anti-COVID-19 Support Fund and the Zoo Fund”.

(iii) The following paragraph shall be added to Article 8.

 (13) The Zoo Fund may be disposed of in accordance with the budget when it is necessary for the promotion of wild animal Conservation Activities, etc. at Maruyama Zoo and Accredited Zoos (meaning Accredited Zoos as stipulated in Article 10 (1) of the Sapporo Zoo Ordinance (Ordinance No.30 of 2022)).