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  5. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium’s sea turtle research received a Koga Award, Japan’s highest　award for rare species breeding.
Okinawa Churashima Foundation RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Research on marine organisms

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium’s sea turtle research received a Koga Award, Japan’s highest　award for rare species breeding.

The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums gave the 2023 Koga Award to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium for its efforts breeding sea turtles. Our foundation previously received this award in 1987, 36 years ago.

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Award title

Ecological and conservation research conducted through captive breeding in sea turtles.

What is the Koga Award

The Koga Award is given to aquariums and zoos for exceptional achievements in the breeding of rare animals. It is the most prestigious award in Japan, and is presented only after successful breeding of a rare species with global significance. Its name commemorates Dr. Tadamichi Koga, former director of the Ueno Zoological Gardens, who made a great contribution to the establishment of JAZA in 1986.

Information on the award

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has successfully bred sea turtles listed on the IUCN Red List and Appendix I of CITES, including a first generation of loggerhead turtles, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, and black turtles, and a second generation of loggerhead turtles and hawksbill turtles. This achievement is the result of 28 years of captive research with publications in 16 scientific journals (13 English, and 3 Japanese). The research was judged as worthy of the Koga Award for its significant contribution to the improvement of ex situ conservation techniques for sea turtles. On May 24, 2023, the Koga Award ceremony and lecture was made at the JAZA general meeting.

Publication list on the award

  • Kawazu I, Maeda K, Kobuchi T, Sasai T, Mizuochi K, Yamazaki K, Maeda K, Kino M, Fukada S. Age and body characteristics of captive green turtles at the onset of vitellogenesis. Journal of Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums. (in Japanese with English abstract) (in press)
  • Fukada S, Kawazu I, Maeda K, Kobuchi T, Makabe M, Kino M, Maeda K, Omata M and Sasai T. 2022. Breeding success of captive F2 Generation of loggerhead turtle in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
    Herpetological Review 53: 246–249.
  • T, Makabe M. 2019. Comparison of the emergence success between wild and captive loggerhead turtles. Umigame Newsletter of Japan 108: 2–5. (in Japanese with English abstract)
  • Kawazu I, Fukada S, Maeda K, Maeda Ko, Kino M, Omata M, Makabe M, Kobuchi T. 2018. Reproductive parameters of captive sea turtles in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Proceedings of 10th International Aquarium Conference Fukushima 2018: 74-79.
  • Kawazu I, Maeda K, Fukada S, Omata M, Kobuchi T, Makabe M. 2018. Breeding success of captive Black turtles in an aquarium. Current Herpetology 37: 180–186.
  • Kawazu I, Komesu K, Kayo M. 2016. Hatching of eggs rescued from a green turtle involved in an automobile collision. Marine Turtle Newsletter 151: 24–26.
  • Kawazu I, Nakada K, Maeda K, Sawamukai Y. 2016. Daily changes in the blood levels of two steroids and other biochemicals related to vitellogenesis and eggshell formation during internesting intervals in a captive female loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta. Current Herpetology 35: 14–21.
  • Kawazu I, Kino M, Maeda K. 2015. Relationship between the water temperature experienced by captive loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and eggshell formation. Herpetological Review 46: 364–368. Kawazu I, Kino M, Maeda K, Teruya H. 2015. Age and body size of captive hawksbill turtles at the onset of follicular development. Zoo Biology 34: 178–182.
  • Kawazu I, Kino M, Yanagisawa M, Maeda K, Nakada K, Yamaguchi Y, Sawamukai Y. 2015c. Signals of vitellogenesis and estrus in female hawksbill turtles. Zoological Science 32: 114–118.
  • Kawazu I, Maeda K, Kino M, Koyago M, Sawamukai Y. 2015. Optimal intervals for semen collection by electro-ejaculation in hawksbill turtles. Journal of Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums 56: 9–14. (in Japanese with English abstract)
  • Kawazu I, Kino M, Maeda K, Yamaguchi, Y, Sawamukai Y. 2014. Induction of oviposition by the administration of oxytocin in hawksbill turtles. Zoological Science 31: 831–835.
  • Kawazu I, Maeda K, Koyago M, Nakada K, Sawamukai Y. 2014. Semen evaluation　of captive hawksbill turtles. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 13: 271–278.
  • Kawazu I, Suzuki M, Maeda K, Kino M, Koyago M, Moriyoshi M, Nakada K, Sawamukai Y. 2014. Ovulation induction with follicle-stimulating hormone administration in Hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata. Current Herpetology 33: 88–93.
  • Kawazu I, Maeda K, Kino M, Oka S. 2013. Structure of the loggerhead turtle assemblage in okinawan waters estimated from variation in body size and blood profile. Current Herpetology 32: 190–196.
  • Teruya, H., Y. Kamei, S. Uchida, and K. Adachi. 1997. New sea turtle tank with nesting-ground and its effect. Proceedings of the Fourth International Aquarium Congress Tokyo: 113–118.

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