Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”(Please be sure to submit this report after the trip that supported by PWS.)

2021. 12. 27
Affiliation/Position

Wildlife Research Center/D2

Name

Lim Qi Luan

1. Country/location of visit
Kyoto City Zoo, Japan
2. Research project
Animal Welfare Course
3. Date (departing from/returning to Japan)
2021. 12. 12 – 2021. 12. 14 (3 days)
4. Main host researcher and affiliation
Dr. Yumi Yamanashi, Chief researcher at the Center for Research and Education of Wildlife, Kyoto City Zoo
5. Progress and results of your research/activity (You can attach extra pages if needed)
Please insert one or more pictures (to be publicly released). Below each picture, please provide a brief description.

Due to personal reasons, I was not able to attend the briefing and lecture on the first day (Dec 12, 2021) and the animal
observation sessions in the following two days.
Dec 13, 2021
Nonetheless, I was able to help creating an artificial rock that was to be put in the poolfor the penguins to climb. This was for the purpose of environment enrichment as away to improve animal welfare in the zoo. First, we used metal wire mesh and plastic
tie locks to create the outline of the shape of therock that we wanted to make (Figure 1). Then,
we stuffed some newspapers into the interior of
the mesh structure. We mixed the sand andcement powder at a ratio of about 3:1 with water
to make a sand cement mix to be spread on topof the rock-shaped net structure (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Making of the artificial rock
Figure 1 Making a rock structureusing wire mesh

Next, we were led to flamingos’ enclosure to plow the ground (Figure 3).
The plowing was done with hoes or spades to soften the soil, which wasdone to reduce the burdens of hard soil surface to the birds’ feet. It wasalso important to not leave large chunks of soil after plowing as the birds
might trip over them.

Figure 3 Plowing the earth in the Flamingo enclosure

Submit to：report@pws.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp

2014.05.27 version

Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”(Please be sure to submit this report after the trip that supported by PWS.)
After all the hard works, we went to the gorilla enclosure to conduct the next
activity of enclosure maintenance. The sand inside the enclosure dissipateswith time, therefore timely maintenance is required. We were instructed tomove the two piles of sand into the closure with wheelbarrow (Figure 4). The
zoo staffs then distribute the sand around the enclosure area (Figure 5). We
then called it a day after moving all
the sand into the enclosure andcleaning up.

Figure 4 Moving sand into the gorilla enclosure

Figure 5 Maintenance of the gorilla enclosure

Dec 14, 2021
There was not much works in this day compared to the day before. We
continued the making of the artificial rock. We mixed cement and water tospread on top of the sand cement layer (Figure 6). The artificial rock wasleft to dry before used. The other members were also tasked with the makingof a hammocks, feeders, and wooden stand for the animals (Figure7-8).
Figure 6 Continue the making of the artificial rock

Figure 7 Feeder (front) andhammock (back) for thegorilla

Figure 8 Stand for the peacocks*Please have your mentor check your report before submitting it to [report@pws.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp].

6. Others
Although I was not able to take part in all of the course content, I had an invaluable experience learning theimportance of enclosure maintenance and enrichment for the welfare of the animals in the zoo. I was also amazedby the zoo staffs to improve the welfare and health of the animals in the zoos. It was not easy I hope thisexperience will benefit me in the future, when I would be more involved with working with the zoo animals forscientific research and studies.

Submit to：report@pws.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp

2014.05.27 version