Orix Aquarium Corporation

Basic Policy on Animal Care Ethics and Animal Welfare for Animals in Our Care

[English Translation*]
*Where there is any divergence between the Japanese original text and this English translation, the Japanese original text shall prevail.

ORIX Aquarium Corporation treats animals kept at all facilities operated by our company ethically and with respect, and gives utmost consideration to their animal welfare.

In our animal care operations, we establish the necessary animal care environments and hygienic conditions and provide feed to maintain proper nutritional status, based on scientific and empirical knowledge of each animal species’ ecology.

Regarding animal care conditions and animal welfare, we comply with the standards set by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as well as international guidelines established by zoo and aquarium organizations in Japan and overseas. Furthermore, we adhere to national laws, local government regulations and ordinances, and international treaties, and strive to create better animal care environments by proactively collecting and implementing the latest information on animal care.

Basic Measures

  1. Provision of a stable and appropriate living environment
    • Provide animal care environments with appropriate environmental conditions for each animal species.
    • Establish safe, effective, and well-maintained living environments.
    • Create environments that avoid situations in which animals may experience fear or danger.
    • Ensure spaces where animals can retreat from other animals with whom they are kept together and from visitors.
    • Meet and maintain hygiene management standards and water quality standards.
    • Prioritize the safety and dignity of animals in programs and off-site exhibitions.
  2. Provision of balanced feed and nutrition
    • Provide high-quality and hygienic feed.
    • Appropriately manage the quality, quantity, and nutritional value according to each individual animal’s characteristics.
    • Observe and record feeding behavior, and feed in a manner that satisfies behavioral and nutritional health.
    • Ensure the safe handling and storage of feed.
    • Collect and share the latest nutritional information and reflect it in feeding practices.
  3. Health management and provision of veterinary care
    • Conduct regular health examinations and maintain records.
    • Provide prompt veterinary care for injuries and illnesses.
    • Deliver comprehensive veterinary care based on proper diagnosis.
    • Collect and update information on health status and animal welfare for continuous improvement.
    • Quarantine newly arrived animals and thoroughly implement infectious disease prevention measures.
  4. Provision of an environment that allows species-specific behaviors
    • Develop animal care environments that enable species-specific behaviors and exercise.
    • Establish a system to assess physical and mental well-being and implement improvement measures.
    • Provide conditions that enable the expression of substitute behaviors for those observed in wild individuals.
    • Provide opportunities to learn behaviors necessary for social interaction and reproduction.
  5. Ensuring freedom of behavioral choice
    • Provide animals with free choices regarding their behaviors as individuals and species.
    • Offer mental and physical stimulation through enrichment.
    • Collect and share the latest information to implement safe and effective enrichment.
    • Adopt low-stress techniques using positive reinforcers in medical practices and training programs.
  6. Ensuring thorough education and record-keeping
    • Actively provide staff with opportunities to participate in lectures and training programs.
    • Document and standardize animal care procedures to carry out tasks based on a shared understanding.
    • Properly record and manage information regarding animal care operations, veterinary care, enrichment, breeding programs, and other relevant activities.

In addition to these basic policy and measures, we will continually incorporate new knowledge, take concerns and advice regarding animal welfare seriously, and pursue ongoing improvements.

Overall, ORIX Aquarium Corporation is committed to treating animals in our care with a sense of ethics and to advancing initiatives to provide them with more appropriate living environments.

January 13, 2026