Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden (高崎山自然動物園, Takasakiyama Shizen Doubutsuen), also called Takasakiyama Monkey Park, is a park located in Ōita City, Ōita Prefecture on Mount Takasaki (高崎山, Takasakiyama) known for its many wild Japanese macaques.
| Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden | |
|---|---|
 Sign for Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden | |
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| 33°15′30″N 131°31′58″E / 33.258287°N 131.532795°E | |
| Date opened | March 15, 1953 |
| Location | 3098-1 Kanzaki, Ōita City, Ōita Prefecture |
| No. of animals | About 1,200 wild monkeys |
| Website | http://www.takasakiyama.jp/ |
Location
editMount Takasaki, the mountain on which Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is located, borders Oita City, Beppu, and Yufu. The parking lot for the zoological garden is located along Japan National Route 10 between Oita City and Beppu and is shared with the Oita Marine Palace Aquarium.[1]
History
editIn 1952, Oita City Mayor Tamotsu Ueda, concerned about the damage that the Japanese macaques were doing to farms surrounding Mount Takasaki, sought to gather all of the monkeys into one location. The monkeys were fed sweet potatoes and began to remain on Mount Takasaki. In 1953, Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden was opened as a tourist attraction.[2]
Monkeys
editThe monkeys at Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden are Japanese macaques. Mount Takasaki is home to over 1,200 of these monkeys, and they have separated themselves into "troops" which take turns visiting the monkey park.[3][2][4]
There have been three troops observed on the mountain (named Troop A, Troop B, and Troop C), but Troop A has not been seen at the monkey park since 2002.[2] Therefore, only Troops B and C appear at the park with Troop C visiting in the morning and Troop B in the afternoon.[4][5] However, as the monkeys are wild, there are times that they do not visit the park.[5]
The troops have complex social hierarchies. Takasakiyama made news in 2021 when Yakei, a female macaque, became the leader of Troop B.[6] This was the first time in the park's history that a female monkey had taken the number one spot in a troop.[7]
There are no fences or barriers separating visitors from the wild monkeys.[2] The monkeys, being used to humans, allow visitors to come close to them and often approach visitors.[2][8]
Although the monkeys are quite docile, visitors are advised to be cautious especially regarding young children. Visitors are requested not to tease or touch the monkeys, not to make eye contact with them, and not to feed them.[8]
The monkeys are fed sweet potatoes by the staff at 30 minute intervals. [5] Feeding time causes the monkeys, who are usually dispersed throughout the park, to run towards the feeding location.[8]
Visitor information
editEntrance fees
editThe admission fee is 520 yen for adults, 260 yen for children, and free for infants.[5]
Hours
editHours are from 9:00-17:00 daily with last entry being at 16:30. There are no set closing days.[5]
Access
editFrom the park's entrance gate, it is about a five minute uphill walk to get to the park's main area where most of the monkeys gather. There is also an option to take a short slope car ride for 110 yen round-trip.[4]
References
edit- ^ "営業時間と料金". Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "高崎山について". Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden". Visit Kyushu. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "Takasakiyama Monkey Park". Japan Guide. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "よくある質問". Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "けんか勝ったメスザル 初の群れトップに 大分の動物園". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "「高崎山史上最恐女子」のヤケイがママに 元気なメスザル出産". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d "野生のニホンザルに出会えるとっておきスポット「高崎山」". Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "幸運の股くぐり". Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden. Retrieved 11 June 2024.