At the Fureai Plaza, visitors can feed the hippopotamuses during the "Hippo Feeding" event. Hippopotamuses are difficult to see during the day because they are underwater, but this is the only time visitors can see their large bodies and mouths up close, making the event very popular.
　In the past, visitors were able to feed the hippopotamus through a gap in the fence, but because the gap was too narrow, the hippopotamus' mouth would not open wide and its eyes would be hidden. In order to realize the staff's wish to "show visitors the powerful hippopotamus with its mouth open more widely," the fence was renewed in July 2013. The lower part of the fence was raised to a height where the hippopotamuses cannot hang their legs over, and the upper part was removed. Now they can freely spread their mouths wide open.
　We have heard many comments from visitors, such as, "I can't believe I can see them so close up! The mouth opens to about 90 degrees and the face, which is several hundred meters long, is right in front of them. The mouth opens up to 90 degrees and a face that is several hundred centimeters long comes out right in front of you! The visitors also cheer. A hippopotamus skull specimen was also displayed next to the exhibit, allowing visitors to understand the structure of the inside of a hippopotamus's mouth, which they would not normally be able to see.
　At the hippopotamus feeding time, visitors not only feed the animals but also learn about their body features while having fun.

(Tomoki Okitsu)