The Kanto Region Safari Zone is a large area of land that is owned by the Kantoian government in conjunction and support of the Pokemon League Association. The area occupies more than 4,000 square miles north of Fuschia City. The area was originally created 75 years ago by the government as a The National Kanto Pokemon Preserve. It was an area where endangered and rare species of Pokemon could live unbothered by the expanding human population in more than 1,000 square miles of untouched wilderness. The small populations of Kangaskhan and Farfetch'd (whose species were both hunted to near extinction), as well as the Tauros population that suffered from habitat destruction because of agriculture, were the primary motivations behind the creation of the preserve.
For the first 10 years of the preserve's existence the area was closed to the public, with the exception of a few guided tours. The catching of Pokemon was strictly forbidden and could result in serious fines and possibly jail time. During these 10 years the populations of the endangered species rose. As a result of this success the government purchased the surrounding land and essentially doubled the size of the Preserve. Seeing the success and the expansion, the Jhoto Region government sought for the chance to import other rare and endangered species that could be found in their region in an effort to increase their numbers.
After 15 years of operation the Preserve began to allow select trainers (namely Gym Leaders and their apprentices, as well as members of the Indigo and Silver Leagues) to enter the Preserve and have a chance to capture one of these rare Pokemon. This continued on for several years, until the populations of the Pokemon became stable enough to allow more trainers the opportunity to try to capture some of these Pokemon. In an effort to protect the Pokemon from any unsavory trainers, the only trainers that were allowed to initially catch Pokemon were ones that had recommendation letters from a gym leader, a member of the League or of an accredited Pokemon Researcher; all required verification from the Pokemon Protection Agency (PPA).
In celebration of the Preserve's 30th Anniversary, the PPA worked with the Wataru Clan of the Jhoto's Blackthorn County to import a small population of young Dratini to live in the Preserve. The exact location of what has been nicknamed "The Dragon's Lake" was kept a tight secret, only known to roughly a dozen people. The Dratini population has not only survived the decades since introduction but increased more than expected. Despite this, Dratini has proven to be rarest Kanto/Jhoto Pokemon that lives in the Preserve, with the capture rate averaging at approximately 1 Dratini per every 2 years.
The population of the rare and popular Dratini caused a sharp increase in the number of visitors over the following years. Many of the hundreds of visitors that came every week were not even trainers, just people who took the guided tours in hopes of seeing the adorable dragon species. Even though sightings were low and the captures even lower the number of visitors remained steady. Because of the number of people that came to see the rare and wild Pokemon, the 35th Anniversary saw the National Kanto Pokemon Preserve renamed as the Kanto Safari Zone.
Over the next 40 years the Safari Zone would see success in its original mission to preserve the populations of rare and endangered species, causing the government to purchase land several times over the years to expand. The current Safari Zone has grown to four times the size since opening and the massive success has caused other regions to import species into the area, most notably the Sinnoh and Hoenn regions, and even regions of far off lands such as Kalos and Unova.
It was during the 50th Anniversary that immense changes to the Safari Zones operation were made. The populations of the endangered Pokemon had increased to the point where more trainers could start to capture the rarer Pokemon. A recommendation letter and PPA verification was no longer necessary. For a fee, trainers of any kind could enter for a specified amount of time and were given the chance to capture rare and foreign Pokemon. To make sure that Pokemon weren't over-captured however there were strict rules put into place. Trainers had to abide by the allotted time, if they didn't return by the specified time then they were charged a hefty fine. Trainers could only use specially made Safari Balls while inside the Safari Zone; no advanced Pokeballs (e.g. great balls or ultra balls) or apricorn balls (e.g. lure balls or heavy balls) were allowed. Trainers could not bring in Pokemon and were not allowed to battle the inhabitants of the zone. Over the years minor changes were made to the rules, but for the most part these rules are maintained even now.
The most notable of these changes though was that trainers are now allowed to take one Pokemon with them for protection purposes only. Surveillance equipment is in place all throughout the zone and many trainers have had their licenses revoked on charges of poaching for attempting to battle the wild Pokemon. Poaching is prevented in the zone by advanced perimeter monitoring equipment and surveillance equipment. Members of the Pokemon Ranger Union patrol the area constantly and Safari Rangers are armed with powerful Pokemon as well as fire arms.
Guided tours are still available several times a day from any of the four entrances, but trainers are not allowed to capture any Pokemon during these tours. A popular strategy among trainers is to take the tour and evaluate where desirable Pokemon are, thus allowing them to make their limited time in the zone more effective.
A census is conducted every year for the Pokemon that live within the area. Pokemon have been given ranks based on their populations with Rank 1 being to rarest of all Pokemon and Rank 5 being the most common species. Although even among these ranks some Pokemon are harder to find than others. It is recommended that trainers hoping to catch Pokemon in the Safari Zone study the rankings to make the most effective use of their limited time. The Ranking List is printed below. The species' typing and their preferred habitat are included next to them.
Rank-1 - Extremely Rare
(1) Dratini - Dragon - Lakes
(2) Dragonair - Dragon - Lakes - *One has never been seen in the zone, but it assumed that al least on Dratini has evolved at some point.
(3) Chansey - Normal - Grassland and Forest
(4) Arcanine - Fire - Grassland
(5) Machamp - Fighting - Mountains
(6) Golem - Rock/Ground - Mountains
(7) Farfetch'd - Normal/Flying - Forest
(8) Steelix - Steel/Ground - Mountains - *Only one has ever been seen in the zone.
(9) Dunsparce - Normal - Grassland and Forest
(10) Slaking - Normal - Forest
(11) Shedninja - Bug/Ghost - Forest
(12) Feedbas - Water- Lakes
(13) Milotic - Water - Lakes - *One has never been seen in the zone
(14) Snorlax - Normal - Grassland and Forest
(15) Tangrowth - Grass - Forest
(16) Seismitoad - Water/Ground - Lakes
(17) Braviary - Normal/Flying - Grassland and Mountains
(18) Mandibuzz - Dark/Flying - Grassland and Mountains
Rank-2 - Rare
(1) Scyther - Bug/Flying - Forests
(2) Nidoking - Poison/Ground - Grasslands - *These Pokemon are very territorial. Trainers please display caution.
(3) Nidoqueen - Poison/Ground - Grasslands
(4) Poliwrath - Water/Fighting - Lakes and Marshes
(5) Victreebel - Grass/Poison - Forests and Marshes
(6) Hypno - Psychic - Forests
(7) Kangaskhan - Normal - Grasslands
(8) Ninetails - Fire - Grasslands
(9) Wigglytuff - Normal/Fairy - Forests and Grasslands
(10) Machoke - Fighting - Mountains
(11) Rapidash - Fire - Grasslands
(12) Rhydon - Rock/Ground - Grasslands and Mountains - *These Pokemon are very territorial. Trainers please display caution.
(13) Tangela - Grass - Forests
(14) Pinsir - Bug - Forests
(15) Gyarados - Water/Flying - Lakes - *These Pokemon are highly aggressive. Please display extreme caution when near this Pokemon.
(16) Politoed - Water - Lakes and Marshes
(17) Yanma - Bug/Flying - Lakes, Marshes and Forests
(18) Heracross - Bug/Fighting - Forests
(19) Ludicolo - Grass/Water - Lakes and Marshes
(20) Shiftry - Grass/Dark - Forests - *These Pokemon are very territorial. Trainers please display caution.
(21) Masquerain - Bug/Flying - Lakes and Marshes
(22) Vigoroth - Normal - Forests
(23) Exploud - Normal - Forests and Grasslands
(24) Manectric - Electric - Grasslands
(25) Altaria - Dragon/Flying - Forests
(26) Staraptor - Normal/Flying - Forests - *These Pokemon are very territorial. Trainers please display caution.
(27) Roserade - Grass/Poison - Forests
(28) Luxray - Electric - Forests and Grasslands
(29) Floatzel - Water - Lakes
(30) Toxicroak - Poison/Fighting - Marshes
(31) Watchog - Normal - Forests and Grasslands
(32) Boldore - Rock - Mountains
(33) Palpitoad - Water/Ground - Lakes and Marshes
(34) Swanna - Water/Flying - Lakes and Marshes
(35) Bouffalant - Normal - Grasslands
(36) Rufflet - Normal/Flying - Grasslands and Mountains
(37) Vullaby - Dark/Flying - Grasslands and Mountains
(38) Litleo - Fire/Normal - Grasslands - *Approach cautiously. Individuals that are part of a pride are protected fiercely by older Pyroar.
(39) Pyroar - Fire/Normal - Grasslands
(40) Gogoat - Grass - Mountains and Grasslands
(41) Carbink - Rock/Fairy - Mountains
(42) Drednaw - Water/Rock - Lakes and Marshes - *Be cautious of this Pokemon's jaws. They are extremely powerful and are capable of taking off a limb.
Rank-3 - Uncommon
(1) Pidgeot - Normal/Flying - Forests and Grasslands
(2) Fearow - Normal/Flying - Grasslands and Forests - *These Pokemon are highly aggressive. Please display extreme caution when near this Pokemon.
(3) Arbok - Poison - Forests
(4) Sandslash - Ground - Mountains and Grasslands
(5) Vulpix - Fire - Grasslands
(6) Jigglypuff - Normal/Fairy - Grasslands and Forests
(7) Vileplume - Grass/Poison - Forests and Grasslands
(8) Bellossom - Grass - Forests and Grasslands
(9) Venomoth - Bug/Poison - Forests
(10) Parasect - Bug/Poison - Forests
(11) Golduck - Water - Lakes and Marshes
(12) Primeape - Fighting - Forests and Grasslands - *These Pokemon are highly aggressive. Please display extreme caution when near this Pokemon.
(13) Growlithe - Fire - Grasslands
(14) Poliwhirl - Water - Lakes and Marshes
(15) Machop - Fighting - Mountains
(16) Graveler - Rock/Ground - Mountains
(17) Ponyta - Fire - Grasslands
(18) Dodrio - Normal/Flying - Grasslands
(19) Slowpoke - Water/Psychic - Lakes and Marshes
(20) Onix - Rock/Ground - Mountains
(21) Drowzee - Psychic - Forests
(22) Exeggutor - Grass/Psychic - Grasslands
(23) Marowak - Ground - Grasslands and Mountains
(24) Ariados - Bug/Poison - Forests
(25) Azumarill - Water/Fairy - Lakes and Marshes
(26) Xatu - Psychic/Flying - Forests
(27) Jumpluff - Grass/Flying - Grasslands
(28) Sudowoodo - Rock - Forests and Grasslands
(29) Girafarig - Normal/Psychic - Grasslands
(30) Forretress - Bug/Steel - Forests
(31) Gligar - Ground/Flying - Forests
(32) Ursaring - Normal - Forests - *These Pokemon are highly aggressive. Please display extreme caution when near this Pokemon.
(33) Phanpy - Ground - Grasslands
(34) Donphan - Ground - Grasslands
(35) Stantler - Normal - Forests
(36) Lombre - Grass/Water - Lakes and Marshes
(37) Dustox - Bug/Poison - Forests
(38) Beautifly - Bug/Flying - Forests
(39) Swellow - Normal/Flying - Forests
(40) Breloom - Grass/Fighting - Forests
(41) Surskit - Bug/Water - Lakes
(42) Slakoth - Normal - Forests
(43) Ninjask - Bug/Flying - Forests
(44) Loudred - Normal - Forests and Grasslands
(45) Electrike - Electric - Grasslands
(46) Roselia - Grass/Poison - Forests
(47) Budew - Grass/Poison - Forests
(48) Swablu - Normal/Flying - Forests
(49) Wishcash - Water/Ground - Lakes
(50) Crawdaunt - Water/Dark - Lakes and Marshes - *These Pokemon are very territorial. Trainers please display caution.
(51) Kecleon - Normal - Forests
(52) Bibarel - Normal/Water - Lakes and Marshes
(53) Staravia - Normal/Flying - Forests
(54) Krictetune - Bug - Forests
(55) Shinx - Electric - Forests
(56) Luxio - Electric - Forests
(57) Buizel - Water - Lakes
(58) Ambipom - Normal - Forests
(59) Lopunny - Normal - Forests
(60) Croagunk - Poison/Fighting - Marshes
(61) Roggenrola - Rock - Mountains
(62) Tympole - Water - Lakes
(63) Ducklett - Water/Flying - Lakes and Marshes
(64) Patrat - Normal - Forests and Grasslands
(65) Skiddo - Grass - Mountains and Grasslands
(66) Chewtle - Water - Lakes and Marshes
Rank-4 - Common
(1) Butterfree - Bug/Flying - Forests
(2) Beedrill - Bug/Poison - Forests - *These Pokemon are very territorial. Trainers please display caution.
(3) Pidgeotto - Normal/Flying - Forests and Grasslands
(4) Spearow - Normal/FLying - *These Pokemon are very territorial. Trainers please display caution.
(5) Raticate - Normal - Forests and Grasslands
(6) Ekans - Poison - Forests and Grasslands
(7) Sandshrew - Ground - Forests and Mountains
(8) Nidorino - Poison - Grasslands
(9) Nidorina - Poison - Grasslands
(10) Gloom - Grass/Poison - Forests and Grasslands
(11) Venonat - Bug/Poison - Forests
(12) Psyduck - Water - Lakes and Marshes
(13) Mankey - Fighting - Forests and Grasslands - *These Pokemon are very territorial. Trainers please display caution.
(14) Poliwag - Water - Lakes and Marshes
(15) Geodude - Rock/Ground - Mountains
(16) Rhyhorn - Rock/Ground - Grasslands
(17) Weepinbell - Grass/Poison - Forests
(18) Doduo - Normal/Flying - Grasslands
(19) Exeggcute - Grass/Psychic - Forests and Grasslands
(20) Cubone - Ground - Grasslands
(21) Tauros - Normal - Grasslands
(22) Furret - Normal - Grasslands
(23) Hoothoot - Normal/Flying - Forests
(24) Noctowl - Normal/Flying - Forests
(25) Ledyba - Bug/Flying - Forests
(26) Ledian - Bug/Flying - Forests
(27) Spinarak - Bug/Poison - Forests
(28) Marill - Water/Fairy - Lakes and Marshes
(29) Natu - Psychic/Flying - Forests
(30) Skiploom - Grass/Flying - Grasslands
(31) Aipom - Normal - Forests
(32) Wooper - Water/Ground - Lakes and Marshes
(33) Quagsire - Water/Ground - Lakes and Marshes
(34) Murkrow - Dark/Flying - Forests - *These Pokémon like to steal shiny objects. Be cautious of your belongings.
(35) Pineco - Bug - Forests
(36) Teddiursa - Normal - Forests
(37) Linoone - Forests - Grasslands and Forests
(38) Lotad - Grass/Water - Lakes and Marshes
(39) Silcoon - Bug - Forests
(40) Cascoon - Bug - Forests
(41) Nuzleaf - Grass/Dark - Forests
(42) Taillow - Normal/Flying - Forests - *These Pokemon are very territorial. Trainers please display caution.
(43) Nincada - Bug/Ground - Forests
(44) Whismur - Normal - Forests and Grasslands
(45) Volbeat - Bug/Flying - Forests
(46) Illumise - Bug/Flying - Forests
(47) Barboach - Water/Ground - Lakes and Marshes
(48) Corphish - Water - Lakes and Marshes
(49) Bidoof - Normal - Forests and Marshes
(50) Starly - Normal/Flying - Forests
(51) Kricketot - Bug - Forests
(52) Buneary - Normal - Forests
Rank-5 - Extremely Common
(1) Caterpie - Bug - Forests
(2) Metapod - Bug - Forests
(3) Weedle - Bug/Poison - Forests
(4) Kakuna - Bug/Poison - Forests
(5) Pidgey - Normal/Flying - Forests and Grasslands
(6) Rattata - Normal - Forests and Grassland
(7) Nidoran M/F - Poison - Grasslands - *Approach cautiously. Herds are protected fiercely by both Nidokings and Nidoqueens.
(8) Oddish - Grass/Poison - Forests and Grasslands
(9) Paras - Bug/Poison - Forests
(10) Bellsprout - Grass/Poison - Forests
(11) Magikarp - Water - Lakes
(12) Sentret - Normal - Grasslands and Forests
(13) Hoppip - Grass/Flying - Grasslands
(14) Zigzagoon -Normal - Forests
(15) Wrumple - Bug - Forests
(16) Seedot - Grass - Forests
(17) Shroomish - Grass - Forests