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 below taken at that time. After many months of limited contact, in September 2002, the black rhinos 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 (see photos). Corky and Satsuki have now become accustomed to each other and share their food and enter the wallow together. Hopefully, when Satsuki comes into estrus, which occurs approximately every 32 days, they will begin the mating process.

Read a Star-Bulletin article about this and other breeding programs at the Honolulu Zoo

The black rhinos were allowed get acquainted through a bar fence that allowed them to smell and interact with each other. This phase took several months before any direct physical contact was attempted.

Before the first introduction, the mammal curator and keepers go over exactly what they will do if the rhinos start fighting. This includes the use of the water hose, fire extinguisher and air horn as ways of distracting and separating them.

The first encounter was stressful from the beginning. Corky is aggressive from the moment he is released by going over to Satsuki's side of the yard and making threatening gestures. At first she appears to ignore him.

But then she went over to his side and the fighting started. They ran into the barn and the keepers had to use their fire hoses and fire extinguishers to separate them before any injuries could occur. In a second confrontation, the air horn was also used. This is a difficult sequence to watch but it is something that animal breeders need to be aware of. 

The next encounter, several days later, was less confrontational. After their greeting at the bars Corky went into the barns and sniffed Satsuki's urine. He then went to the doorway but Satsuki would not let him come out that way...

Instead she charged and threatened him when ever he tried to exit the barn. The introduction process was expected to be slow with many months of trials. Corky does not have many social skills because he has spent most of his life alone before coming to the Honolulu Zoo. This seems to be one of the main problems in getting them together. Another possibility is that Satsuki just may not like him very much.  Time will tell.

A pattern of dominance challenges became routine. Here Satsuki on the right and Corky on the left mock charge each other at the bars. Notice that there are no bars separating them on the left side of the above photo.  Yet they use the safety of the bars to when charging and head-butting. Curiously, the high pitched sound is from Corky and the low growl is from Satsuki.

In later introductions they appeared to be settling down and showing an interest in each other. In this sequence they actually sniff each other and appear to be on friendlier terms. It is hoped that by eventually releasing them into their open exhibit they will have a more natural and amiable relationship .