Five zoos across Japan organized a watermelon-eating speed competition among capybaras to celebrate Watermelon Day [1], [4].

The event aimed to showcase the popular animals and generate public interest for the participating institutions [2], [5].

Kobu, a capybara from Nasu Animal Kingdom in Tochigi Prefecture, won the competition with a finishing time of one minute and 41 seconds [1], [3]. Other participants included Budo, a one-year-old male from the Izu Shaboten Zoo in Itō, Shizuoka Prefecture [1], [2].

Budo finished the contest in third place with a time of three minutes and 59 seconds [1]. His handler, Yoshikawa Hayato, expressed high hopes for the young animal's performance before the event. Yoshikawa said, "He is full of motivation, so I want him to do his best to take first place" [6].

The competition took place on July 27 [4], a date designated as Watermelon Day. While the event involved five different zoos [1], only the Izu Shaboten Zoo and Nasu Animal Kingdom were specifically identified as participants in the coordination of the race [1], [2].

Capybaras have become a significant draw for Japanese tourism, particularly through themed events that highlight their docile nature and appetite for seasonal fruits. This joint effort across multiple prefectures reflects a coordinated marketing strategy to leverage the animals' popularity during the summer months.

“Kobu from Nasu Animal Kingdom won the competition with a finishing time of one minute and 41 seconds.”

The collaboration between five separate zoological institutions indicates a growing trend of 'cross-zoo' promotional events in Japan. By synchronizing activities around cultural markers like Watermelon Day, these facilities maximize social media visibility and public engagement, turning animal husbandry into a competitive spectator event to drive attendance.