HOKKAIDO, May 18, 2025 (News On Japan) - Spring has brought a wave of newborn animals to North Safari Sapporo, a privately run zoo in Minami Ward, Sapporo City, even as the facility remains under pressure to remove illegal structures and relocate its animals.
Recent footage shared on the zoo’s social media shows two Arctic wolf pups born in April snuggling up to their mother. Alongside them, the zoo has reported new births of sheep and penguins, among others, signaling a full-blown baby boom.
North Safari Sapporo has been ordered to dismantle 156 illegally constructed buildings, including animal enclosures, and relocate all 640 of its animals. As of March, only 210 animals had been moved, and plans for relocating the remainder remain uncertain.
The unexpected timing of the births has drawn concern and confusion from city officials.
With more than half the relocations still unaccounted for, city officials expressed concern, stating, "While it's part of nature and cannot be helped, it's unclear what the zoo is trying to do." The ongoing births are seen as complicating an already fraught situation.
Source: 北海道ニュースUHB
