The Sunpiazza Aquarium in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, has recently issued a special announcement that has sparked discussion among Japanese netizens.
The announcement addresses the behavior of guests using personal items to play with the animals, specifically penguins, seals, and otters. The aquarium has observed that an increasing number of visitors are using their own belongings as toys to interact with the animals.
According to the aquarium, this behavior causes the animals to become overly excited, leading to a loss of appetite and even regurgitation. The animals cannot distinguish the boundaries of play and become overly stimulated by unfamiliar objects, which leads to emotional distress and physical symptoms.
The aquarium's announcement included the following points:
- A request for visitors to understand the impact of their actions on the animals.
- An observation that animals are increasingly unable to eat or are vomiting food.
- A plea not to use personal items to play with the animals.
The aquarium explained that many guests bring toys or use items they have on hand as toys, playing with them in the aquarium. When penguins, seals, and otters see this, they become overexcited, which can lead to serious problems such as loss of appetite.
The announcement has resonated with many online, with many expressing surprise at the potential consequences of playing with animals in this way. Some users have reported witnessing people using dolls, balls, water bottles, phones, and other items to try to play with the animals. There have even been reports of people dancing and filming videos in the aquarium.
The aquarium acknowledges the inconvenience this request may cause to visitors but asks for their understanding and cooperation.
