Saturday, April 30, 2011

They're Back!

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.



Rhino


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.

Rhino

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.

Rhino

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.




14 comments:

eileeninmd said...

They are amazing critters. I am happy they are returning to the zoo. Wonderful mosaics and photos.

Dorothy Borders said...

I really have to get down to the zoo to say hello.

Hootin Anni said...

I DO have to get up to H-town and visit the zoo. Soon. Fantastic photos.

My Saturday post is HERE

Hope you can find time to visit. Have a glorious weekend.

Valerie said...

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!

Marie said...

I 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.

Anonymous said...

They are indeed magnificent creatures! What wonderful shots.

Cezar and Léia said...

They look so easygoing!
Happy family there, thanks for sharing these lovely pictures and information!
purrs
Luna - WE LOVE LUNA

Kay L. Davies said...

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.
Still, 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

Kate said...

They are so massive and huge, who would want to be their enemy. We need to protect all these animals, tho!

jabblog said...

Rhinoceros - 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.

Shelley Munro said...

Cool 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.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful shots.

Butterfly and Wasp, have a blessed weekend!

Crafty Christina said...

They really are breathtaking animals!

NatureFootstep said...

your happiness over this shines through the post all the way to Sweden. :)