Osaka Zoo lets polar bear enjoy frozen treats in summer showcase
At Osaka Tennoji Zoo, a female polar bear named “Ho-chan” was offered three ice blocks packed with apples, chicken, beef and yogurt for a summer-time feeding event.
The zoo staged an annual ice-treat feeding on Saturday, presenting three roughly 55-centimetre-high frozen blocks to the bear. About 60 visitors, selected by lottery, watched Ho-chan munch the frozen foods and splash into the water. The activity was streamed live and marked the first such event since the new Polar Bear Coast enclosure opened on Aug. 4. An eight-year-old visitor, Sosuke Uda, described the scene as “cute” while attending with his family.
Why it matters
The event highlights how zoos use interactive activities to engage visitors and promote animal welfare during summer heat.
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