It¡¯s a Wednesday in mid-August and as noon arrives, the combination of the sun and humidity heralds another scorching day in Tokyo.
At Ueno Zoological Gardens, the oldest and most visited zoo in Japan, visitors can be seen using parasols and electric fans to try and stay cool. Mist fans across the facility blow cold air, while staff hand out paper hand fans featuring a panda illustration.
While visitors do their best to protect themselves from the heat, one can¡¯t help but wonder how the zoo¡¯s residents ¡ª many of whom come from completely different climates, such as polar bears or pandas ¡ª cope, and what steps Ueno Zoo takes to ensure the well-being of its animals.
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