Taipei City Construction Management Office

In keeping with traditional customs surrounding the Ghost Festival during the seventh lunar month, Taipei Zoo holds an annual Animal Memorial Service through traditional religious rites. On September 9, 2026, the zoo invited Mucha Zhongshun Temple to conduct a memorial and blessing ceremony in a non-public area of the zoo, honoring departed animal companions while praying for the safety and well-being of both the animals and staff in the zoo.

Birth and death are natural parts of life. Through daily care, veterinary medicine, quality-of-life assessments, and other animal welfare practices, Taipei Zoo accompanies animals throughout every stage of their lives. As new animals are born, others inevitably pass away due to old age or illness, including Xi-Hui the white rhinoceros, gray wolves Wolf and Lola, leopard cat Xiao-Mu, koala Wolverine, pangolin Guo-Ran-Weng, and the elderly eastern gray kangaroo, "Grandma". The memorial also remembers animals such as pangolin Run-Hou-Tang and red panda Croissant, which departed for other institutions as part of genetic exchange and conservation breeding programs. Facing the loss of animal companions is an important part of the zoo's life education mission, and the Animal Memorial Service provides an opportunity to express remembrance, blessings, and gratitude for the companionship these animals shared with us.

The zoo's Animal Memorial Service dates back to the 1920s, when memorial ceremonies were held periodically for animals that had passed away. In the 1950s, the Asian elephant Malan even served as the symbolic animal representative during one of the ceremonies. However, as awareness of and commitment to animal welfare grew, live animals were no longer included in the rituals. Today, the Animal Memorial Service has become an annual event held in conjunction with Ghost Festival traditions and has evolved into a more inclusive practice. For example, online ceremonies were held during the COVID-19 pandemic to overcome space limitations, and different forms of ceremonies have been organized to respect diverse religious beliefs. On September 9, 2026, Mucha Zhongshun Temple was invited to conduct the memorial, universal offering, and blessing ceremony, commemorating the animals that once lived at the zoo and praying for the safety and well-being of both the animals and people at Taipei Zoo.

The year 2026 marks the 112th anniversary of Taipei Zoo and the 40th anniversary of its relocation from its former Yuanshan site to its current home in Mucha. Over the past 40 years, the zoo has welcomed the birth of new animals while also bidding farewell to others as they reached the end of their lives. During this time, Taipei Zoo has evolved from a traditional zoo primarily focused on exhibiting exotic animals into a modern institution dedicated to conservation education. By integrating both in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts, the zoo now places wildlife conservation and animal welfare at the core of its mission.