Lucky gift: Japan lends rare marimo moss balls to Taiwan

TAIPEI – Taipei Zoo received four rare, naturally formed marimo moss balls on loan from the city of Kushiro, Hokkaido, in Japan’s first such agreement under cooperative conservation programs, zoo officials said Monday.

The city has loaned a total of seven marimo to Taipei Zoo since the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2017.

The last four, which arrived last week, are larger than the previous three, artificially grown. The largest measures about 10 centimeters in diameter.

Officials said the new loan indicates that Kushiro is satisfied with the zoo’s care of the previous ones and that bilateral cooperation on conservation efforts has progressed.

Moss balls, a form of green algae that grows in cold water with low or indirect lighting, naturally form into a round shape and are native to Lake Akan in Kushiro, where they are designated a national treasure and supposed to bring good luck.

They are also found in parts of Europe and Iceland, where they are considered endangered and are protected.

The seven marimo are kept in a special tank at the zoo’s Amphibian and Reptile House. The reservoir is designed to provide an environment similar to their natural habitats in Japan, with cold, clean, moving water.

Zoo keeper Ellick Yang said naturally formed marimo can exceed 20cm in diameter, although this takes a long time as they grow an average of 0.5cm per year.

Taipei and Kushiro, which has its own municipal zoo, have had a close relationship since 2011, when Kushiro loaned a pair of red-crowned cranes to Taipei Zoo.

The species, designated a Special National Natural Treasure, is a symbol of longevity and marital love in Japan. Rare birds are leased for an indefinite period of academic exchange to study whether they can breed in an environment with different food and climate.

The zoo opened a newly renovated bird enclosure on Sunday, with more space and a more comfortable environment, in hopes they will breed next year.