Last year, the Fukuoka Zoo and Botanical Garden attracted 810,683 visitors, marking the first total annual admissions of more than 800,000 in 16 years. These figures suggest the various facilities upgrades that the Zoo has been undertaking are starting to take effect. In 2006, the City allocated ¥900 million toward a 20-year renewal project, and to date the Zoo has updated facilities for the elephants and chimpanzees. In 2008 a slope car was installed to enhance barrier-free access, and last October a habitat was created where orangutans and lar gibbons live together. This fall, the Zoo is scheduled to complete new facilities for the leopards and Malayan sun bears. The City has said it intends to “attract even more people since 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the Zoo’s opening.” Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 18
