Born in Kruger National Park, these young adults spent several weeks
in acclimation bornas (huge holding areas) to prepare them for
their 54 hour flight to Houston.
The Houston Zoo's original pair of white rhinos, Bu and Marci
also came from Africa in the early 1970's and were beloved ambassadors
for their species for over 30 years.
It is very exciting that rhinos have returned to the zoo and the wonderful
African Forest exhibit.
The first phase of the African Forest is 6.5 acres and includes
habitats for Chimpanzees, Rhinoceroses, Giraffes, Cheetahs, Kudu, and Ostrich.
It is expected that this trio of Rhino,
one male and two females,
will produce rhino calves and add some much needed
genetic diversity to the North American zoo population.
Due to their strength and size - second only to the elephant as far as land mammals
white rhinos don't have many enemies, except for man.
Without increased protection, all rhinos could disappear in the wild
in the next 20-50 years.
Misty just celebrated 3 years of Camera Critters.
Be sure you visit!
Wishing you WELL and a JOY filled weekend.
They are amazing critters. I am happy they are returning to the zoo. Wonderful mosaics and photos.
ReplyDeleteI really have to get down to the zoo to say hello.
ReplyDeleteI DO have to get up to H-town and visit the zoo. Soon. Fantastic photos.
ReplyDeleteMy Saturday post is HERE
Hope you can find time to visit. Have a glorious weekend.
Great shots of some amazing critters! God sure had a sense of variety when he created the world and all that is in it. Nice photos!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing these beautiful rhinos. I am always humbled in the presence of creatures like these. How tragic that a few greedy people may be responsible for the loss of such an amazing animal. Sometimes I'm so ashamed to be human.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed magnificent creatures! What wonderful shots.
ReplyDeleteThey look so easygoing!
ReplyDeleteHappy family there, thanks for sharing these lovely pictures and information!
purrs
Luna - WE LOVE LUNA
I agree with Marie. I was just reading Dr. David Suzuki today, and he says animals are becoming extinct at an astonishing rate, but people don't seem to want to do anything about it. Zoo populations are good, but wild populations are better.
ReplyDeleteStill, congratulations to the Houston Zoo on getting these new additions. I hope they thrive.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
They are so massive and huge, who would want to be their enemy. We need to protect all these animals, tho!
ReplyDeleteRhinoceros - wonderful animals and cruelly exploited by man. Good to see some fresh blood . . . Hopefully, at some point, there will be returns to the wild, though I know that's very difficult.
ReplyDeleteCool photos. I've been lucky enough to see them in the wild. It's sad that if it weren't for captive breeding programs many of our rare species would die out.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteButterfly and Wasp, have a blessed weekend!
They really are breathtaking animals!
ReplyDeleteyour happiness over this shines through the post all the way to Sweden. :)
ReplyDelete