Welcome New Member Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Home to expansive grounds and more than 500 species, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens hosts more than 2.4 million visitors each year. The non-profit joins 16 Japanese institutions and more than 1,100 Species360 members worldwide collaborating to improve wildlife care and conservation.
In August, Nagoya’s non-profit Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens became the 16th Japanese institution to join Species360 and the 7th JAZA member to join this year. Located in central Japan, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is among the most visited zoos in Japan, welcoming more than 2.4 million visitors annually. It is home to Shabani, a 22-year-old Western Lowland Gorilla, and more than 500 species including koalas, giraffes, and anteaters. The botanical gardens include a large greenhouse, sakura (cherry blossom) trees galleria, flower fields and an insect hall.
Dear press/education officer
A major UK publisher, DK, is producing a new title for 9–12-year-olds, Behind the Scenes at the Zoo. DK is known for stunning, visually led books that educate and inspire, and this is the second title in the Behind the Scenes series.
We are interested in photographs that tell the stories of all the amazing work zoos do – plus images showing things not normally seen by the zoo’s visitors.
Do you have pictures that highlight a breeding success story, or a rare collection of near-forgotten species? Or ground-breaking research and conservation work you’re proud of? Perhaps you’ve had an amazing new enclosure built, or have launched an innovative education programme.
We also want pictures of people doing their jobs, whether it’s routine cleaning, growing food, positive reinforcement training, or something less known to the zoo-going public, such as animal behaviour specialists at work.
If there’s anything you’d like us to know about what goes on away from view in your zoo, please get in touch. We’re not just looking for ‘standard’ zoo pictures – we really want to dig deeper. For example, we’re interested in shots of the types of safety features zoo enclosures need to have, and ones of animals in transit, either within the zoo or between zoos or the wild. Nothing is too ‘boring’! Similarly, we want a broad range of animals to feature, so not just the usual ambassadors, but also invertebrates, reptiles, birds, corals…
Time is of the essence, so please let me know if you’d like to contribute as soon as possible, and I would be delighted to discuss the book with you further.
With kind regards and thanks for your help in advance,
Laura Barwick
Freelance picture researcher
Dorling Kindersley, UK
Hi Laura, The book sounds fabulous!! As a non-profit, we do not have a staff photographer or photo file. ZSL London Zoo and other major zoos and aquariums may be willing to participate tho, if you have are willing and able to work with one of them. Best of luck – I wish we could help.
Mary Ellen