Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Activities

Breeding Awards

At the Aquarium, we don't just breed and exhibit sea creatures - we also carry out research activities. Some of our most important research is on animal breeding. If animals breed, it indicates that they are being raised in suitable biological conditions. Knowledge about these conditions is invaluable in assisting similar animals in the wild.

In Japan, there is an organization called The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA), which supports zoos and aquariums.

Since 1957, the association has given a breeding award for the successful reproduction of a new species in Japan. The species concerned must survive at least six months after birth.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has won breeding awards for seventeen different species, including the bull shark, manta ray, bottlenose dolphin, manatee and sea turtle.

In the future, the Aquarium hopes to successfully breed and raise other animals through research in this area, and make a contribution to protection and rearing of all marine life.

The Koga Award

The Koga Award, which was established in 1986, is presented in commemoration of the efforts of Dr. Tadamichi Koga, a former director of the Ueno Zoo who contributed greatly to the protection and propagation of rare species and who provided a donation that formed the basis of the award fund.

The award is given to those who have shown excellence in one of the following fields and who have made a significant contribution to breeding techniques in zoos or aquariums.

• Breeding of species that are difficult to breed in captivity and are uncommon worldwide
• Multiple breedings over several generations
• Breeding achieved through creative, revolutionary or inspired development

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium received an award for the first time in 1987 for successfully breeding two generations of whitetip reef shark in captivity.

 

*Please note that there are reading mistake.

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