Every year on February 27, an international commemorative day is observed to promote the protection of polar bears—an animal facing the risk of extinction due to the impacts of global warming—and to raise awareness of the environmental issues they confront. The day was proposed by the U.S.-based nonprofit organization Polar Bears International. Late February is a particularly critical period, as mother bears and their cubs spend this time inside their dens.

What kind of animal is it?
Polar bears are among the largest carnivorous mammals in the world, inhabiting the Arctic’s icy plains and surrounding seas. They are also known as white bears because they appear white, but their fur is actually transparent and hollow, allowing sunlight to efficiently reach their skin. Their skin itself is black, which helps absorb heat. Their primary prey is seals, which they hunt from sea ice platforms. Polar bears are excellent swimmers and can travel dozens of kilometers in a single swim. They are well adapted to cold environments, with a thick layer of body fat and a physical structure that enables them to survive harsh winters.

Pitten ZOO: Watch a polar bear (white bear) video

World Hippo Day is celebrated annually on February 15th, with the aim of raising awareness of the hippopotamus' plight and encouraging conservation efforts for this endangered species. The exact origins of the day are not clearly recorded, but it is believed to have been established to coincide with the anniversary of the opening of the Turgwe Hippo Trust in Zimbabwe, a pioneering conservation project dedicated to protecting and studying hippos in their natural habitat.

What kind of animal is it?
Modern hippos evolved in Africa around 8 million years ago. Hippos are semi-aquatic mammals found in sub-Saharan Africa. They can weigh up to 2,000 kg, making them the third largest land mammal.

Pitten ZOO: Watch a video of hippos

Current situation of hippos
The hippopotamus population is estimated at 115,000 to 130,000 and is declining due to poaching, loss of access to freshwater, mechanized agriculture, urbanization, and other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed hippos as endangered (vulnerable) in 2006 after hippopotamus populations declined by up to 20% over the past 20 years.

December 4th is International Cheetah Day every year. This day is the birthday of Khayam, a cheetah raised by Dr. Laurie Marker. Khayam was taken to Africa as part of a research project to reintroduce cheetahs into the wild, and through the efforts of the doctor, he learned how to hunt. Through this research, the doctor learned that farmers in Namibia were exterminating cheetahs as pests, and began conservation efforts. In honor of Khayam, this day is considered a symbol of conservation efforts.

What kind of animal is it?
It is the speed record holder in the animal kingdom. Its maximum speed is about 110 kilometers per hour, but it can only run about 500 meters at most. It has a small head and a slim body that is well suited to running. Its claws do not retract like other cats, and it is not very good at climbing trees. Its cubs are black-gray in color and have a mane similar to that of a hyena.

Pitten ZOO: Watch cheetah videos

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Cheetah Conservation Fund
The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to cheetah conservation and research. Founded in 1990 by conservation biologist Dr. Laurie Marker, it is headquartered in Namibia.

CCF's activities are based on three pillars: research, education, and conservation.

1. Research: We conduct comprehensive research into cheetah health, breeding, genetics, behavior, and ecology.

2. Education: We raise awareness among the public, students, and farmers about the importance of cheetahs and how to coexist with them.

3. Conservation: We work to reduce conflict between humans and cheetahs. For example, our breeding program of Anatolian shepherds to protect livestock has reduced predation by more than 80%.

CCF's efforts range from protecting cheetah habitat, maintaining genetic diversity, and promoting coexistence with humans, making it a model for cheetah conservation efforts around the world.


Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF): https://cheetah.org/

World Lemur Day is an event held annually on the last Friday of October, and in 2024 it is scheduled for October 25th. The day aims to raise awareness about the need to protect lemurs, which mainly live in Madagascar.

The commemorative day was started in 2014 by Jonah Ratsimmbazafy in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. It has since been spread by zoos and conservation organizations and is now recognized worldwide.

As of 2024, many species of lemurs are in danger of extinction, which is said to be due to habitat loss, climate change, hunting, etc. Lemurs play an important role in the ecosystem of Madagascar, contributing to pollination and seed dispersal.

What kind of animal?
Lemurs have long, bushy tails and soft, woolly fur of various colors. Their hind legs are slightly longer than their front legs. Most species are highly agile and can jump several meters between trees. They have an excellent sense of smell and binocular vision, and most species are agile. They are herbivorous, eating fruits, leaves, and sometimes insects.

Pitten ZOO:Watch a video of lemurs

This commemorative day was established in 2015 by the Gibbon Section of the Primate Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its purpose is to widely publicize the current status of gibbons, which are particularly endangered among primates, and to raise awareness for conservation and protection activities. It is a day when educational activities about gibbons are held at zoos and other locations around the world.

What kind of animal is it? Gibbons are tailless and classified as apes. Their most distinctive feature is their extremely long forelimbs, which they use to master the method of locomotion called "brachiation" (arm swinging), dynamically leaping from branch to branch. They spend most of their day in the trees and rarely descend to the ground. Most live in family units consisting of a male, a female, and their offspring. They use a clear, beautiful "song" to defend their territory and strengthen family bonds. Their fur color and size vary by species.

Pitten ZOO：Watch a video of gibbons

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Detailed Information
"International Gibbon Day" was established in 2015 by the Gibbon Section of the Primate Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). October 24th is designated as International Gibbon Day every year.

Gibbons are one of the most endangered groups of primates on Earth. The Hylobatidae family includes several genera and many species, but the majority have seen their populations significantly reduced due to human activities such as tropical rainforest destruction, illegal hunting, and the illegal pet trade. In particular, the fragmentation of their habitat due to deforestation has a fatal impact on gibbons, who live primarily in the trees.

The purpose of establishing this commemorative day is to raise international awareness about the critical situation gibbons are facing. It is an important opportunity to inform people worldwide about the importance of research for gibbon conservation, prevention of poaching, habitat protection, and sustainable forest management, and to encourage action.

On International Gibbon Day, zoos and conservation organizations around the world conduct wide-ranging educational activities about the ecology of gibbons and the need for their conservation, hosting events such as special guided tours, lectures, exhibitions, and quiz competitions. These events provide visitors with a chance to deepen their understanding of gibbons and reflect on how their daily choices can contribute to habitat conservation.

References
・IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
・October 24th is International Gibbon Day. (Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens):
　https://www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp/blog/2021/10/1024.html
・October 24, 2021, is "International Gibbon Day" (Tokyo Zoo Net):
　https://www.tokyo-zoo.net/topic/topics_detail?kind=news&inst=ueno&link_num=27062

The third Saturday in October is International Sloth Day.
AIUNAU, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and research of sloths, hosted the first International Sloth Congress in November 2010. At this congress, the third Saturday of October was established as "International Sloth Day."

What kind of animal?
Sloths are slow-moving animals that spend most of their time hanging from tree branches, with a diet primarily consisting of leaves and new shoots. To camouflage themselves, they hide their heads between their front legs, protecting themselves from predators. They are excellent swimmers and can survive on small amounts of food.

Pitten ZOO:
Watch a sloth video

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Special Ways to Celebrate International Sloth Day
International Sloth Day is, of course, a day to focus on the conservation, research, and habitat preservation of wild sloths. It's important to raise awareness and support these efforts to protect the future of sloths. However, there’s another special way to celebrate International Sloth Day: by embracing the sloth's slow lifestyle and spending the day practicing a "slow life."

Take a break from your busy routine, reflect on yourself, and relax both mind and body. Why not take time to enjoy reading, listening to music, or slowly indulging in activities you rarely get to do?

On this day, taking a temporary pause from the usual hectic pace of life and giving yourself time to rest can also be an opportunity to rediscover the joy of living in tune with nature, much like a sloth.

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What is AIUNAU?
AIUNAU is a nonprofit organization based in Colombia, South America, and it plays a key role in raising international awareness about sloth conservation. The establishment of "International Sloth Day" by this organization has sparked global interest in the protection and study of sloths.
Through their efforts to protect sloths, AIUNAU also helps draw attention to broader environmental issues, such as the importance of biodiversity and tropical rainforest conservation.

aiunau.org

The harbor seal, known in Japanese as the Zenigata Azarashi, gets its name from the coin-like patterns on its body that resemble old Japanese coins. These seals inhabit coastal areas around Japan, especially along the shores of Hokkaido. With their round bodies and charming black spots, they’re easily recognizable. Their endearing expressions and the relaxed way they lounge on land never fail to bring a smile to those who see them.

Pitten ZOO：Watch a video of harbor seals

The last Friday in September is Save the Koara day, a day set aside to raise awareness of the challenges facing Australia's native koala species. The day was created to raise awareness of the challenges facing the koala, an endemic species of Australia.

What kind of animal is it?
Koalas live mostly in trees and are primarily nocturnal. They are gentle creatures, walking slowly on land from tree to tree. Their main diet is eucalyptus leaves.

Pitten ZOO: Watch a video of a koala

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History
In 1986, the Australian Koala Foundation (originally the Association) was founded by veterinary scientists. The first Save the Koala day was celebrated on September 26th 2008 at Dreamworld in Queensland. Since then it has grown into an important event highlighting the plight of koalas and the importance of protecting their natural habitat.

AKF : https://www.savethekoala.com/