SAPPORO, Mar 18 (News On Japan) –
North Safari Sapporo, a non-public zoo in Minami Ward, Sapporo, which closed in September 2025 over unauthorized growth, stays house to lots of of animals as its operator disputes a deliberate removing order whereas emphasizing animal welfare considerations.
HBC cameras entered the location for the primary time since its closure with permission from the working firm, revealing that animal calls nonetheless echo all through the grounds and {that a} vital variety of animals stay on website.
Reporter Yui Kitaoka mentioned on March twelfth, “Animal sounds can still be heard from time to time throughout the park,” including that 5 Arctic wolves are nonetheless being saved on the facility.
As Sapporo City proceeds with procedures towards issuing an order to take away unlawful buildings, the working firm has submitted a written assertion arguing that such an order could be illegal. The firm’s president, who not too long ago assumed the function, spoke publicly for the primary time amid the controversy.
The president of Success Tourism mentioned, “Rather than keeping them here, we want to move the animals to a new location, but that requires securing a new site.”
The zoo as soon as housed 640 animals as of December 2024, together with species resembling ring-tailed lemurs native to Madagascar, identified for his or her fox-like faces and lengthy striped tails. Through transfers to different services, the quantity has now been decreased to 224.
According to the Animal Welfare Management Center, which is monitoring situations, there are at the moment no points with how the animals are being saved.
The president acknowledged violations of the City Planning Act, stating, “Violating the law itself is wrong, and we take that seriously.”
North Safari Sapporo had operated for round 20 years after setting up services with out permission in a chosen urbanization management space. The earlier president resigned in March 2025, and the present president, previously the zoo director, took over.
Of the 183 unlawful buildings that when stood on the location, practically 80% have been eliminated over the previous 12 months, although 38 buildings nonetheless stay.
Addressing how the state of affairs escalated, the president accepted accountability however defined that the corporate believed it had obtained vital approvals for particular person services, together with these associated to animal care, eating, and lodging.
“We had the perception that if permits were issued, there wouldn’t be a problem,” the president mentioned.
The firm argues that additional demolition might negatively have an effect on animals whose relocation locations haven’t but been finalized.
“If we reduce the buildings any further, there is a very high risk of impacting the animals. The current situation may be the best option for now,” the president mentioned, noting that many animals are aged and that relocation itself poses stress, whereas anesthesia and long-distance transport may be harmful, significantly for big predators.
Sapporo City has indicated a deadline of October this 12 months for the removing of all buildings and is shifting towards issuing a proper removing order.
In response, Success Tourism submitted a written protection arguing {that a} compelled administrative measure could be illegal and pointless. The firm is requesting that, if an order is issued, the deadline be prolonged to the top of November 2027.
“We understand that wrongdoing is wrongdoing, but we must prioritize the animals above all else. We hope the deadline will reflect that,” the president mentioned.
Meanwhile, a Tokyo-based funding agency is planning to absorb the remaining animals and open a brand new zoo. The operator is at the moment working with the agency to safe land and has acquired monetary help protecting workers wages and feed prices.
“We want to safely relocate the animals to a new place with the support of partner companies. That is our top priority,” the president added.
According to studies, animals together with lions, canines, and horses stay on the website, and workers numbers seem enough to keep up care, with scenes resembling horses being walked noticed throughout filming.
In its written protection, the operator emphasised that the zoo has already ceased operations and that there isn’t a longer a threat of uncontrolled city growth. It additionally argued that demolition can’t proceed as a result of relocation websites for the animals haven’t but been secured.
The firm additional said that issuing a removing order is pointless and illegal, but when such an order is made, further time can be required, significantly to maneuver regulated species that require permits for transport.
Sapporo City, nevertheless, maintains that it has repeatedly issued each written and verbal steering for practically 20 years and that setting a removing deadline of the top of October is an inexpensive resolution.
A removing order underneath the City Planning Act carries vital penalties, together with as much as one 12 months in jail or fines of as much as 500,000 yen for non-compliance. The metropolis is anticipated to difficulty the order as early as this month.
Source: HBCニュース 北海道放送