00:01Japan's animal cafes are popular among tourists and locals alike.
00:05A chance to interact with species ranging from otters to owls.
00:12But now they're coming under greater scrutiny.
00:15The country has started its first ever nationwide survey of wildlife cafes.
00:20That's because of fears over animal welfare, hygiene and public health.
00:26Shaina Nozaki manages the Owl Otter Cafe in Kamakura.
00:31It houses animals rescued from commercial breeders
00:32It houses animals rescued from commercial breeders
00:33and animal cafes that have gone out of business.
00:36We have a lot of animal welfare.
00:56The government survey is examining the number of wildlife cafes in Japan,
01:00the types of animals housed and the conditions they are held in,
01:02and how visitors interact with them.
01:05So we have to address the number of animals.
01:15And then we have to address those animals,
01:18the leading things to the animal welfare.
01:18Theavan team and animals directly related to the fossil fuels.
01:24We have to address these issues in the field where the animal welfare is responsible for having a problem.
01:33Some indication as to why the survey may be needed comes in a previous report.
01:38Last year's research by the WWF and Hokkaido University found that of 1,700 animals on
01:45display in 25 cafes visited, 27% of them were threatened species.
01:51Animals considered at high risk of causing injury to people through contact were found
01:55in more than 90% of the cafes.
01:59Back at the Owl and Otter Cafe, Nozaki says she welcomes the survey.
02:06Her facility has welfare measures in place, she says, including housing otters in family
02:11groups and allowing owls to fly freely within the building.
02:14And she hopes regulations could help distinguish cafes like hers from less responsible operators
02:19focused solely on profit.
02:22In the future, she says, she hopes the top priority will be ensuring animals can lead
02:27happy lives.
