動物愛護の碑 Dobutsu Aigo No Hi ..... Animal Protection Monument

There are several interesting monuments located in Suwa Park, which is located on a small bluff right across from the main gate of Yokosuka navy Base

The one shown below is unusual, as it is not related to the Japan Imperial Navy or an important famous person ..... It is called  動物愛護の碑  "Dobutsu Aigo No Hi" ..... Animal Protection Monument.

It turns out that back in the early days of the 20th Century, a small zoo was located at the current location of Suwa Park ..... reportedly Japanese soldiers and sailors returning from the war with Russia brought back some bears, goats, sheep, monkeys, and pheasants ..... and  those animals were put into what became the zoo ..... the three bears, in particular, were very popular with the local Yokosuka people.

Sadly, however, during World War II, it became harder and harder to feed and maintain the animals, especially the meat-eating bears, there was also worry that the zoo could be destroyed by an air raid ..... so, in 1944, the bears were shot and the zoo was closed.

In 1985, the above-pictured monument was built as a to remember the shot bears, as well as the souls of pets, and those of other animals killed by accidents caused by humans and automobiles, etc.

Of note, even unto this day, every year, the first Sunday of November, the Japan Humane Society holds a memorial service at the Dobutsu Aigo No Hi, which is said to be built on the site where the bear cage used to be located....