izu shaboten zoo in shizuoka, japan, has employed capybara stuffed animals in its ‘forest animal’ restaurant to secure appropriate social distancing amid COVID-19 regulations. the cute plush toys have been strategically placed throughout the restaurant’s tables and chairs, keeping customers company while making sure they maintain a sufficient distance from each other. 

japanese zoo employs capybara stuffed animals to secure social distancing in its restaurantimages via twitter user @chacha0rca unless stated otherwise

 

the izu shaboten zoo was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reopened on 16 may with several new measures to ensure safety for its visitors and employees. besides masks and hand sanitizers, the japanese zoo has employed one of its most popular animals, the capybara, to maintain appropriate social distancing while keeping customers company. placed in its ‘forest animal’ restaurant, the capybara stuffed animals peacefully coexist with people, while other animals, such as red pandas and giraffes, appear next to them.japanese zoo employs capybara stuffed animals to secure social distancing in its restaurantimage via izu shaboten zoo

 

 

capybaras are one of the most popular animals in the izu shaboten zoo, while it is said that this is the place where the capybara open-air hot bath was invented. according to the zoo’s website, one winter day in 1982, one of the animal caretakers was cleaning the exhibition space with hot water, when they found capybaras gathering in a small puddle to enjoy the warmth of the water. since then, the zoo has maintained the tradition of open-air baths for their capybaras, who happily enjoy the hot water during winter time.

japanese zoo employs capybara stuffed animals to secure social distancing in its restaurant japanese zoo employs capybara stuffed animals to secure social distancing in its restaurant

japanese zoo employs capybara stuffed animals to secure social distancing in its restaurantimage via izu shaboten zoo

 

 

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