【追悼】アフリカゾウ・ベン！八木山動物公園に来てくれてありがとう！

Ben, an African elephant at Yagiyama Zoological Park, embarked on a new journey on November 21, 2025. This video is edited to commemorate Ben as he walks through the park and his last days. There was a reason why I uploaded videos of the African elephants at Yagiyama Zoological Park. Japanese zoos are still regarded as little more than sideshows, and from the perspective of Western zoos, their animal-keeping conditions are poor and their husbandry skills are inexperienced. As a result, they are often excluded from animal exchanges and breeding loans. When Japanese zoologists attend animal-related conferences overseas, they are reportedly told, 'We will never send our animals to Japan because Japanese zoos kill them too quickly.' You might think, 'But haven't Nishigori (gorillas) like Haoko and Shabani come to Japan from overseas?' In fact, many animals that come to Japan do so because they have hit a dead end in pairing due to bloodline issues abroad. (There may be other reasons as well; this is just one reason.) In Japan, there are barriers beyond even the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Not every zoo you visit is so terrible that it draws criticism from the West. The African elephant care featured here on our channel provides a good environment, with staff staying close to the elephants on a daily basis and refusing to give up on treatment if they get sick, ensuring the highest standards of care. We wanted people to see this kind of situation, which is why we shared the video. (Whether an amateur like me was able to convey it properly… is another question 💦) As a result, Ben has departed for a new world. Estimated age: 36. It feels a little early to leave... However, I believe Ben was happy, warmly cared for by his kind zookeepers and veterinarians. Now, I just pray that he rests in peace. ※I would like to sincerely thank the keepers and veterinarians at Yagiyama Zoological Park for taking the time out of their busy schedules to answer my questions about Ben's condition and treatment.