A zoo in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, has put a ban on solo male visitors. Director Misa Mama said the ban was in response to repeated incidents of harassment directed at the female owner and female guests. She emphasized that the zoo was meant to provide emotional healing and a safe space for animal interactions, not a place for dating or inappropriate behavior. The incident has raised awareness about the challenges women face in managing public spaces and has sparked discussions on gender equality, particularly in the context of harassment. As of now, it remains unclear whether local authorities are investigating the harassment claims, and the zoo’s policy continues to be a topic of debate. The Healing Pavilion was opened in March 2024 and is one of the interactive zoos where visitors can engage with animals like pigs, cats, dogs, and sheep in therapeutic, hands-on activities. But on January 26, the zoo’s director announced about the new restriction. She shared that, effective immediately, solo men would no longer be allowed entry without being accompanied by family or friends. In her social media post, she clarified that the new rule was not born out of prejudice against men but was a response to the stress and discomfort caused by some male visitors’ actions.
