WTF? Zoos and Aquariums in Japan to Launch ‘Matchmaking’ Service

In an article from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun, zoos and aquariums in Japan have come together to create and launch a centralized database next month … to trade and loan out animal species for breeding between institutions. Seriously? The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) based in Tokyo has over 150 institutions across the country providing information on approximately 60,000 species of animals. The fact that these institutions gave the info means they will be a part of the database. Kind of gets you thinking what’s the deal.

Being described as “matchmaking” for such things as breeding programs, the project claims it is “aimed at reducing the difficulties associated with procuring rare animals and facilitating easier propagation of species,” especially when it comes to rare or endangered species. At first glance, this may sound good because there’s the possibility to save certain species from extinction, right? Not quite. Humans wouldn’t like to have a mate forced on them — why would any other creature?

“Setting up a nationwide system will facilitate smooth cooperation between zoos and aquariums, and is a very effective way to preserve rare species,” said veterinarian Kazutoshi Takami of the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, also administrator of JAZA’s planned program.

The above statement is crafted well, geared toward the public. The short of it is this database has been developed solely for aquariums and zoos throughout Japan to boost their “collections” of species to be kept in captivity, as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has placed a limit on the number of rare animals allowed to be imported into a country. So it appears the matchmaking database is their way of solving the decreasing numbers of animals living in Japan’s zoos. But less animals forced to live in captivity in zoos is a good thing!

We are all familiar with Angel the albino dolphin who was corned earlier this year in Taiji’s infamous Cove, taken from her mother, then forced into a sad life in the Taiji Whale Museum. Because Angel is an extremely rare albino dolphin, it’s a sure bet she will be included in this database.

Want to enjoy wild animals? Then enjoy them in the WILD or at an animal sanctuary, not in captivity where animals live a difficult, unnatural life filled with sadness and loneliness.

Image source: Kim Hill/Flickr