Black Rhino Introduction
September 2002
(Click to Enlarge any Photo)
| The Honolulu Zoo
acquired two black rhinos through the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association's Species Survival Plan (SSP) in
March of 1999. Corky was born in 1986 and came from Texas; Satsuki, 9 years younger, was born in 1995 and came from Japan.
The hope is to breed this highly endangered rhino pair. It was
initially decided, after an unsuccessful first encounter, that
they would have to alternate their times out on exhibit. Satsuki only recently experienced her first
estrus.
Even though they had several
years to get "acquainted" (with barriers between them), it has
posed a quite a challenge to our zoo staff.
In early 2002, the animals were reintroduced in their smaller off-exhibit yard and engaged in substantial physical contact in order to establish dominance. See the videos taken at that time. After many months of limited contact, in September 2002, Corky and Satsuki were released together in their exhibit. The larger space allowed them to avoid physical encounters if desired and offered a more natural environment, which includes their mud wallows and pool. Corky and Satsuki have now become accustomed to each other and share their food and enter the wallow together. Satsuki comes into estrus approximately every 32 days. The photos below show that the mating process which has been very calm, is proceeding. Read a Star-Bulletin article about this and other breeding programs at the Honolulu Zoo |
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