The Baby Animal Effect: How Adorable New Arrivals Are Transforming Japan’s Zoos and Aquariums

“So cute!”

Those two words alone can make people open their wallets and travel long distances.

This summer, baby koalas, Asian elephants, harbor seals, and other newborn animals have been arriving one after another at zoos and aquariums across Japan. Their adorable appearances spread rapidly not only through television and news websites, but also across social media, capturing the hearts of countless people.

But the boom goes beyond simply providing healing. The birth of a baby animal can boost visitor numbers, merchandise sales, social media buzz, and even help create a new generation of fans, making it a powerful force supporting the business of these facilities.

Babies are the ultimate free advertisement

Can cuteness really drive the economy? Economic analyst Kaede Yokokawa describes the birth of baby animals as the ultimate visitor-attraction content and free advertising.

“The birth of a baby animal is extremely well suited to social media, and many people who see posts about them continue following their growth afterward. There can be lines forming even before a facility opens, while extensive media coverage creates an enormous and sustained promotional effect.”

While companies normally spend money on advertising to increase awareness, the mere presence of a baby animal generates attention, prompting people to voluntarily spread the word. In that sense, the babies effectively serve as advertising ambassadors. Facilities themselves are experiencing the impact firsthand.

“On the first day the baby Pallas’s cats were put on public display, the park opened at 10 a.m., but by around 7:30 a.m., a long line of visitors hoping to see the babies had already formed outside the entrance. Even after summer vacation began, we have continued to see lines forming before opening.”

So says a public relations representative from Kobe Animal Kingdom in Hyogo Prefecture. It was the first time in two years that the facility had welcomed baby Pallas’s cats.

“We also received a huge response on social media, with around 15,000 likes on Instagram and approximately 21,000 on X. We have received many heartwarming comments from visitors saying, ‘I came from far away specifically to see the baby Pallas’s cats.’”

Meanwhile, baby harbor seals at Ise Sea Paradise in Mie Prefecture have also been attracting crowds.

“Many visitors came from all over Japan specifically to see their pure-white newborn coats, which can only be seen for around two to three weeks after birth. On some days, lines of people waiting to enter formed before the facility even opened, so we have really felt the magnitude of the response.

After the babies were featured in the media and on social media, more repeat visitors began returning several times to watch them grow. We are also selling original merchandise featuring the white-furred babies as models, and it has been very popular. The birth of a baby animal not only encourages people to visit, but also has a significant impact on merchandise sales.”

The presence of a baby animal draws people in, generates buzz, and deepens their connection with the facility. From zoos and aquariums themselves, the scale of this baby animal economic effect is becoming increasingly clear.

Yokokawa, quoted earlier, points out that cuteness is an extremely powerful motivation for consumption.

“As seen in the cases of Kobe Animal Kingdom and Ise Sea Paradise, many people travel from far away simply to see a baby animal in person, generating spending that extends to transportation and accommodation costs. The survey responses we collected from the facilities involved in this article also produced some interesting results.

At Yokohama Municipal Kanazawa Zoological Gardens in Kanagawa Prefecture, popularity surrounding a baby koala drove sales of koala-related merchandise in June and July to 121% of the level recorded during the same period the previous year. A naming poll for the baby attracted approximately 7,100 entries in just one week, while the zoo’s Instagram follower count increased by around 1,700. That was more than three times the usual monthly increase and represented a 176% year-on-year rise.

Posts about the baby harbor seal at Ise Sea Paradise generated an enormous response as well, with one post on X reaching approximately 4.2 million views as of August 2026. It is clear that the presence of baby animals goes beyond simply creating buzz—they have the power to attract visitors, generate consumer spending, and increase the overall value of a facility.”

Value that cannot be measured by visitor numbers alone

Among the facilities we interviewed, some said that the birth of a baby animal did not necessarily lead to a dramatic increase in visitor numbers. Even so, Yokokawa says that facilities can strengthen their engagement by actively sharing updates.

“People who cannot visit in person can still watch the babies grow day by day through social media. Naming polls and other interactive campaigns create a bond between visitors and the facility, helping to cultivate long-term fans rather than one-time visitors. In recent years, animals themselves have begun to develop the kind of star power and brand value once associated with idols.

For example, many people may remember Moodeng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus born at a zoo in Thailand in 2024, who went viral around the world on TikTok and Instagram. I am actually an avid animal lover myself, to the point that I travel specifically to see the sea otters at Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture and koalas in Australia.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that supporting your favorite animal has now become a form of fandom that moves people across national borders. I believe the emotion of cuteness is not merely a fleeting trend, but an important foundation for increasing brand value and attracting repeat visitors over the long term.”

In other words, the feeling of “I want to support them”—something that cannot be measured by visitor numbers alone—is becoming an important asset for the future management of zoos and aquariums. And these adorable babies do more than simply generate excitement in the present.

People return again and again to see them, purchase merchandise, and support them on social media. As entities that cultivate such devoted fans, baby animals are helping shape the future of zoos and aquariums.

So, what kinds of baby animals are attracting attention this summer? Here is a baby animal guide featuring some of the newest and most popular youngsters from zoos and aquariums across Japan.

[Tokyo] Ueno Zoo — Pygmy Hippopotamus

Name: Iroha (female)
Date of birth: December 25, 2025

■ Special Features and Highlights

Her pink, wrinkled chin is a distinctive feature seen during the animal’s early years. As she grows older, both the pink coloration and the wrinkles become less pronounced, so this may be your chance to see her especially baby-like face. During the hot summer months, she and her mother can often be seen relaxing together in the pool at the rooftop exhibit, sometimes lying side by side.

■ Keeper’s Story

Iroha’s mother, Momiji, has shown strong protective instincts toward her baby and has stayed close to her almost constantly. Thanks to Momiji’s attentive parenting, Iroha is growing into a relaxed and confident youngster who is not easily intimidated. The sight of the mother and daughter chasing each other around the exhibit is a heartwarming sight for the keepers.

[Kanagawa] Yokohama Municipal Kanazawa Zoological Gardens — Koala

Name: Kikutaro (male)
Date of birth: December 1, 2025

■ Special Features and Highlights

His large, round eyes are his most endearing feature. The sight of him clinging to his mother’s belly can only be seen at this stage, before his back becomes large enough to rub against the tree. After summer, he will transition to riding on his mother’s back, and as he grows even bigger, he will eventually graduate from being carried altogether.

■ Keeper’s Story

On June 15, when he first peeked his face out of his mother’s pouch, a moment known as emergence from the pouch, he was so adorable that the keepers were left speechless. His mother, Tampopo, has a cautious personality, so the staff are taking care to create an environment where she can raise her baby comfortably and securely.

The zoo officially announced the name Kikutaro on August 5, 2026, following a public naming vote. The zoo says he is growing well and asks visitors to continue watching over him so that his mother can raise him comfortably.

[Kanagawa] New Enoshima Aquarium — Bottlenose Dolphin

Name: Undecided (male)
Date of birth: June 19, 2026

■ Special Features and Highlights

He was already an excellent swimmer immediately after birth, surprising even the aquarium’s experienced keepers. He is now at the stage where he has begun learning to play by himself. Recently, he has been chasing bubbles that he blows himself, snapping at them as he follows them around. Since his favorite games tend to change over time, visitors are encouraged to observe what kind of play he is enjoying when they visit.

■ Keeper’s Story

Labor began at 2 a.m., and he was born at 2:56 a.m. Despite the late hour, many staff members rushed in to watch over the birth. The keepers remember observing the newborn together until morning. It is especially heartwarming to see him swimming close beside his older sister, Marin (24), who was initially wary of him.

The aquarium confirms that the male calf was born to the dolphin Sirius at 2:56 a.m. on June 19, 2026. He is the second bottlenose dolphin born at the aquarium through artificial insemination. Both mother and calf are healthy and the calf has been observed nursing normally.

[Mie] Ise Sea Paradise — Harbor Seal

Name: Undecided (female)
Date of birth: April 8, 2026

■ Special Features and Highlights

During her white-fur stage, she displayed adorable baby behaviors, such as using her mother’s back as a pillow while sleeping. Even now, she still has a youthful expression and faint spots, allowing visitors to enjoy her appearance as she continues to grow. At the aquarium, a special event allows the harbor seals to freely roam and lounge around, giving visitors the chance to see them walking right by their feet.

■ Keeper’s Story

One particularly memorable stage was her transformation from soft white baby fur to the distinctive spotted coat. The change took longer than it had with previous pups, so the keepers watched her closely every day. Once the process finally began, however, the transformation happened remarkably quickly, surprising everyone on the team.

After she was weaned, she initially refused to eat fish. Now, she has grown to the point where she makes a “buu-buu” sound to beg for food. During her walks around the facility, she continues expanding her territory and enjoys exploring her surroundings with plenty of energy every day.

[Hyogo] Kobe Animal Kingdom — Pallas’s Cats

Names: San (male), Nagi (female), Komorebi (male), Bono (male), Haku (male)
Date of birth: May 12, 2026

■ Special Features and Highlights

San is full of energy but surprisingly cautious. Nagi, the only female, has the brownest coat of the five and is highly curious. Komorebi, affectionately nicknamed “Komo-chan,” is the largest of the group and has a powerful, robust build. Bono is easy to distinguish thanks to the darker stripes on his back. Haku closely resembles his mother and is the most affectionate of the five.

The five kittens were born on May 12, with six born in total; sadly, one was stillborn. The remaining five have been growing healthily under the attentive care of their mother, Az.

■ Keeper’s Story

The keepers watched the birth through a monitor, but when their mother fell asleep with her eyes still open, it was a terrifying moment that made them fear the worst. The kittens were initially frightened of the staff, but they have now grown comfortable enough to climb all over the keepers’ bodies like an adventure playground.

During practice sessions for their public debut, the five became so excited in the spacious exhibit that they exhausted themselves completely. The sight of all five falling asleep together after returning to their enclosure was especially memorable.

The five kittens began appearing to the public with their mother from July 21, 2026. Their names were inspired by their parents’ names: their father, Nar, whose name means sun in Mongolian, and their mother, Az, whose name means happiness.

【Hokkaido】Otaru Aquarium — Steller Sea Lion

Name: Daizu (male)
Date of birth: July 4, 2026

■ Charming features and highlights

He is full of curiosity and energy. Although he is still small, he actively swims around the pool and climbs to high places on land. Recently, visitors have been able to see him swimming on his own, as well as riding on the back of his mother, Mame, while she swims.

■ Anecdotes from the keepers

This was the first Steller sea lion birth at the aquarium in seven years, and it was also Mame’s first birth. Since she has very poor eyesight, the staff were concerned about whether she would be able to care for her baby. However, she has been taking good care of him, relying on his cries to locate him. On the very day he was born, she was even seen picking Daizu up in her mouth and returning him to land after he fell into the water. The keepers were deeply moved by the mother’s love, which showed no sign of being hindered by her disability.

【Oita Prefecture】African Safari — Asian Elephant

Name: Tawa (female)
Date of birth: December 19, 2025

■ Charming features and highlights

It is adorable to see her walking alongside her mother while tucked underneath her belly. She also imitates the adult elephants, using her short trunk to bring apples and bananas to her mouth. If you’re lucky, you may spot the mother-and-daughter pair during the safari.

■ Anecdotes from the keepers

Tawa weighed 128 kilograms when she was born, but she has grown steadily by drinking plenty of her mother’s milk, reaching 280 kilograms six months later. She is very affectionate and clingy. Her mother was somewhat tired when Tawa was first born, but the two now spend their days happily together.

African Safari is a large safari park in Usa, Oita Prefecture, where visitors can observe elephants and other animals in the Safari Zone.