The third zoo to open in Japan, the Tennoji zoo has remained popular ever since then with citizens as a place for recreation, culture and learning. Having expanded considerably over the years, the zoo currently houses about 1,000 animals of 230 different types. It serves as a welcome oasis in the midst of the metropolis of Osaka. In addition to reproducing as closely as possible the original habitats and environments of animals, also serves as a kind of “ecological exhibition” to introduce to the public how these animals live.