The three white rhinos housed at the Houston Zoo are not alone in their exhibit. They share their home with antelope called Greater Kudu. It takes the keepers on average one hour to clean the exhibit. The kudu defecate wherever they please while the rhinos like to defecate in the same spot, making it slightly easier to clean. However, it still takes 4-6 wheelbarrow loads with each one weighing over 200 lbs. to clean the entire exhibit. New hay is then placed on exhibit. The three rhinos will eat a combined 2-3 bales of hay everyday with each bale weighing 65-70 pounds.
Sibindi enjoys his baths!
Bath time for our rhinos comes several times a week. To get the rhinos clean, they are hosed down. Annie Kamariah, our 6 year old female rhino loves her bath more than the other two. When she is on exhibit or in the holding yard, she will run through the stream of water then roll around in the puddle that forms underneath her. She also positions herself in front of the hose for whatever part of her body she wants to have cleaned. Our rhinos love to roll around in their mud wallow to cool down and protect their skin from getting sunburned.
Once the barns are clean the Kudu’s dinner is placed in their overnight holding. They receive herbivore pellets, alfalfa, and produce. Several days a week they receive freshly cut vegetation provided by the Houston Zoo’s horticulture staff. If there is extra time, keepers work on projects which includes anything from exhibit maintenance, providing enrichment, keeper chats, and/or animal training.
Sibindi also enjoys practicing for his next bath.
The rhino and kudu here at the Houston Zoo require many hours of care to meet their basic needs. The keepers are passionate about providing the best possible animal husbandry for their animals. To find out what it takes to be a rhino keeper, head out to the Houston Zoo on September 22 & 23. We are celebrating World Rhino Day with a Rhino Spotlight on Species event. Meet some of the keepers to learn why rhinos are so important to their ecosystems as well as to the keepers and zoo guests here in Houston.
A rhino opens his mouth for keepers to take a look inside.
The Houston Zoo’s three rhinos came to us straight out of Africa without knowing any trained behaviors or even their own names. It became critically important to get these animals to at least come over to us when called, otherwise no training could proceed. It didn’t take long for us to find that alfalfa was their favorite treat. Many other captive rhinos enjoy more trainer-friendly chopped produce items such as apples, carrots, or sweet potatoes, but ours just wanted the hay. Once they associated us with alfalfa, we quickly made friends.
Some of the most important behaviors that these animals needed to learn were simple body positions. I’m not talking “downward facing dog” or the “lotus pose,” but instead “come here,” “lean in,” and “back up.” These uncomplicated maneuvers offer keepers the ability to examine the rhinos from any angle upon request and treat any potential wounds. This is very important for animals that spend some of their free time sparring with each other using their sharp horns.
A keeper engaging in target training.
A behavior that we find to be of great use is to “target.” This is used by many animals all over the zoo to bring them to a certain location on cue. Often a target is a ball on a stick or some variation of that, which the animal is trained to touch a part of their body to (usually their nose) in exchange for a reward. With this behavior trained, the rhinos can be moved anywhere in the exhibit or holding area that the keepers can reach a target to.
Keepers drawing blood from a rhino’s ear.
With the basics now trained, we are able to move on with other, more complex behaviors; such as blood draws. For many people this is the moment they dread most in a doctor’s visit. For the rhinos, a slight ear twitch is usually the only reaction that they have. Twice a week, we collect blood from the two female rhinos and twice a month for the male. Our rhinos are still young, so we collect the blood to monitor the progesterone levels of the females so we will know when they begin to cycle and become receptive to breeding. Blood is collected from their large ear veins into glass viles and examined in the zoo’s vet clinic or sent off to an outside lab for more specialized tests. If any of the rhinos appear to be ill, we can easily collect blood to check for infection.
Another behavior currently in training is to get the rhinos to accept a toenail trim. In general, rhinos need little in the way of foot work, but there may be occasions down the road which will require us to address an immediate concern. We hope that once trained, the rhinos will lift up each of their feet and place them on a block so that the nails can be filed and the bottom of the foot can be examined. With some of the basic behaviors already trained, the rhinos will likely be very accepting of these more complex behaviors.
The relationships that we build during these many training sessions makes day-to-day care of the animals far simpler. The benefits gained from cooperative animals makes for a virtually stress free environment. On September 22 and 23, the Houston Zoo is celebrating World Rhino Days. We invite you to come join us to learn more about how we train and care for these amazing animals and what you can do to help these endangered species.
How can you get DOUBLE points in the Swap Shop? Any time an animal section has a Spotlight on the Species or other program focused on an animal or plant - bring in a Nature Journal on that topic!
Komodo Dragon
Nature Journals can be as simple as information on sheets of notebook paper. They can be as detailed and elaborate as you like – your only limit is your imagination. But remember, the more work you do, the more points you get! So do some research and get ready for double points!
Need more information on the Naturally Wild Swap Shop and how it works? Click here.
Some of the species that will be in the Spotlight the remainder of 2012 include:
Red Panda
September 22 Spotlight on the Species – Rhinos
October 6 Spotlight on the Species – Komodo Dragon
November 7 Climbing for Cloudeds (Clouded Leopards)
The Houston Zoo is home to three White Rhinos. Rhinos are a magnificent species that have survived for more than 50 million years. There are five species that exist today; two African species – White and Black rhinos, three Asian species – Greater One-horned (Indian), Sumatran, and Javan Rhinos. There are less than 25,000 rhinos remaining in the world today. The White Rhinos are most numerous of the five species with a population of 18,000-20,000.
Unfortunately, the other species combined make up less than 5,000-7,000 rhinos, leaving each on the verge of extinction.
Rhinos are heavily poached for their horns. The horn is believed to have medicinal properties in traditional Asian medicines. Rhino horn is comprised of keratin, the same material found in our own fingernails. Although it has been proven that consuming rhino horn would have the same benefits as chewing on your own fingernails; many people in China and Vietnam continue its use. Due to an increase in the Vietnam middle class population, demand for rhino horn has been on the rise in recent years. More rhinos are being poached today for Southeast Asian consumption than ever before.
Through conservation we can work to ensure that rhinos will continue to exist for generations to come. Groups like the International Rhino Foundation work diligently to protect all species of rhinos. The Houston Zoo helps to support the IRF with their conservation efforts. For more information click here.
Join the Houston Zoo on September 22 and 23 for a special Spotlight on Species event celebrating World Rhino Day (September 22nd). The event will take place at the White Rhinoceros exhibit in The African Forest from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Keeper’s will be presenting rhino conservation efforts and the highlighting the myths surrounding the medicinal properties believed to be found in rhino horn. Special keeper chats focusing on Rhinos will be scheduled throughout the day. Children can take part in making rhino-themed crafts and face painting. Guests to the Houston Zoo will have the chance to see a rhino skull, a model of a rhino horn and other special items. Items and merchandise will be available for purchase with proceeds going to conservation efforts led by the International Rhino Foundation.
Follow us on the countdown to World Rhino Day for more blogs about Houston Zoo’s rhinos; including, a sneak peek into “a day of a rhino keeper,” and a highlight of the International Rhino Foundation.
Bowling for Rhinos (BFR) is a family friendly event that is organized by your local zookeepers . The event associated with the Houston Zoo is designed every year by the Greater Houston Chapter of American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK). Bowling for Rhinos was initially started by zookeepers in 1990. Houston has been Bowling for Rhinos since 1991. There are currently over 60 AAZK chapters nation-wide that host a BFR event. This year, our chapter hopes to reach a huge milestone of $100,000 raised by Houston over the last 21 years. Come on out to help us reach our goal!
All of the proceeds raised from BFR support several conservation organizations including: Lewa Wildlife Conservation, International Rhino Foundation, and Action for Cheetahs. These organizations facilitate sanctuaries that are home to White and Black rhinos of Africa, as well as the Javan, Greater One-horned, and Sumatran rhinos of Asia. These projects help to save many other animals too. The funds raised by BFR events help to fence in the parks, purchase planes and off road vehicles to curtail poaching, move rhinos into the sanctuaries, purchase motion sensing cameras for censuring, and pay salaries for anti-poaching security guards. For more information on the history of BFR, please click here or watch the 2012 BFR video
There are less than 30,000 rhinos left in the world. The greatest threat they face is from poachers, who kill the rhinos for their horns. Rhino horn is believed to have almost-magical curative powers; the belief is that eating it can cure everything from the common cold to cancer. Unfortunately, that belief is wrong. There is actually no stronger benefit from eating rhino horn than if you were to eat your own fingernails. Hundreds of rhinos are killed by poachers every year, some even inside the sanctuaries, which is why money to support anti-poaching is so necessary to the rhinos survival.
By attending BFR, you do not just get the good-feeling from supporting a worthy conservation effort, but also a fun-filled night of bowling with family and friends, as well as zoo staff. The event also includes food (first come, first served), and a raffle all night long. Every year we host a silent auction comprised of a variety of one-of-the-kind items, including paintings created by zoo animals specifically for BFR. No two events are the exact same.
Welcome to the Houston Zoo’s FOTO FRIDAY Caption Challenge results post from Friday, September 2 !
Last Friday, we posted a photo on Facebook and asked you to leave your best caption in the comment section. Then readers could “like” each caption comment to vote for their favorites. Their votes, combined with those of our own panel, determined the caption to appear under the picture right here on the Official Houston Zoo Blog this week. We hope you’ll come back for the fun EVERY FRIDAY.
YOUR VOTES HELP DETERMINE THE WINNERS!
Here is the picture that was posted on Facebook last Friday, with the top voted caption by GUPPY MAN !!!
(He knows how to rollllll!)
Why is it that every time I get comfortable, someone has to go and ring the doorbell?!?
FIRST RUNNER UP:
Eric Mele: ROTFLOL!
Tie for SECOND RUNNER UP!
Janet Denton: Mac and Willie discover ‘Rhino Tipping.’
Lisa Osborn: ”I finally found some liquid makeup in MY skin tone!”
There were SO MANY funny captions again! Here are just a few as Honorable Mentions:
Marco Lopez: Little help!
Christine Forisha: Aw, nuts, I left my wine in the kitchen…
Oliver Patricia: Houston, We have a problem!
Mike McDermott: …hahaha! That was the best elephant joke I’ve heard in years!
Lorraine Dennis Saiz: Mud, mud glorious mud. Nothing quite like it for for cooling the blood. So follow me follow down to the hollow and there let us wallow in glorious mud!
Want to know more about Southern White Rhinos? CLICK HERE to read the story of how they got to the Houston Zoo (and see video too)! You can come see our trio of rhinos actually roll around in their mud wallow by visiting them in The African Forest. Or, by tuning in anytime to the LIVE Rhino Cam!
Check out our Facebook page to see the rest of the entries. We hope this brought a smile to your face. And stay tuned for next Friday’s photo! Tell your friends, share this on Facebook, Twitter or your own blogs, and start your office pools to see who can come up with the best lines. (To show the picture and link on your social media, just click the little icons under the title SHARE THIS on the lower left of this post).To find us on Facebook, type in Houston Zoo Inc. in the search field or go to http://www.facebook.com/houstonzoo and become a fan.
Welcome to the Houston Zoo’s FOTO FRIDAY Caption Challenge results post from Friday, August 5 !
Last Friday, we posted a photo on Facebook and asked you to leave your best caption in the comment section. Then readers could “like” each caption comment to vote for their favorites. Their votes, combined with those of our own panel, determined the caption to appear under the picture right here on the Official Houston Zoo Blog this week. We hope you’ll come back for the fun EVERY FRIDAY.
YOUR VOTES HELP DETERMINE THE WINNERS!
Here is the picture that was posted on Facebook last Friday, with the top voted caption by Annette Andrade!!! (insert woo hoo!)
DANG GORILLAS and THEIR GLUE!
FIRST RUNNER UP:
Mike McDermott: I love you too…are you horny?
SECOND RUNNER UP:
Amy Winegeart: Bye honey, have a good day
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Vincent Melgarejo: Sibindi: “Do they have the camera out?” Lynne: “Yeah, yeah. Kiss me already.” Sibindi: “Okay, but real quick and only because it’ll get me on Facebook.”
Benjamin Auces : Finally the KISS CAM came this way….
Dana Rice: Romantic rhinoceroses receive rave reviews.
Dara Carlson-Hamann: And this one is for making me that fantastic dandelion salad! You are really the best, dear…
Silvia Ramirez: You make my Rhino world complete xoxo
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
Thanks for joining in the fun!
And please come on back for next Friday!
DID YOU KNOW:
You can watch our rhinos in their yard – or after hours when they retire to their barn by CLICKING HERE!
To learn how our trio of Southern white rhinos made it from Africa to their new home in The African Forest, read this wonderful blog series, from bottom to top.
Check out our Facebook page to see the rest of the entries. We hope this brought a smile to your face. And stay tuned for next Friday’s photo! Tell your friends, share this on Facebook, Twitter or your own blogs, and start your office pools to see who can come up with the best lines. (To show the picture and link on your social media, just click the little icons under the title SHARE THIS on the lower left of this post).To find us on Facebook, type in Houston Zoo Inc. in the search field or go to http://www.facebook.com/houstonzoo and become a fan.
At long last, the adventure for our zoo team concludes !
In my last blog we had just boarded our cargo plane to leave Africa. Flying cargo was certainly an interesting experience. The plane was a 747. Anyone who flew on these planes in the 70′s and 80′s might remember that there was an upstairs area. Back then, the upper flight deck was a lounge area for first class passengers. That area has long since been replaced with more seats for more revenue, but on our plane there were 6 business class seats, a small galley, the bathroom and two small closet with “beds” in them. I could barely stretch out on one and I’m only 5’1″ so I’m not sure how the Joe’s fit…they’re both over 6 ft! But the beds were a nice option when we had been crammed in a car and were still facing 48 hours of transit time.
Knowing there were three rhinos below us that had never flown before was also an adrenaline-pumping feeling. And believe me, we knew it when they got restless! Turbulance is one thing, but a rhino bouncing around in a crate is something quite different. The whole plane would shift and the thumping was a bit disconcerting at first. During the first leg from Johannesburg to Harare we checked on the rhinos often because we weren’t sure how they would react, and we needed to reassure ourselves that the crates were still safely locked down. But after a bit the rhinos settled down and so did we.
In between the two shorter legs of our trip, we were on the ground for several hours in both Harare and Nairobi abd we weren’t allowed off the plane. We used the time to feed the rhinos and watch the cargo being shifted around in the hold. That in itself was a cool operation to watch. The floor of the cargo hold was a series of tracks, wheels and mechanized plates that moved the cargo around with seeming ease. Huge pallets, including the ones the rhinos were on could be moved back & forth like a kid’s puzzle game to make sure everything fit. Check out this video, curtesy of Dr Joe Flanagan, of the rhino crates being moved into position. Eventually they had pallets of flowers packed all around them.
By the third leg of the flight, the long 10 hours from Nairobi to Amsterdam, the rhinos seemed to have gotten the hang of takeoffs and landings. They seemed less thrilled about the landing part. With ears as huge as theirs are, I imagine it might have been a bit uncomfortable, especially since we couldn’t explain to them about pressure and without thumbs they can’t hold their nose while blowing! But the flight was smooth and the Joe’s & I even managed to get some sleep. Because we were the only passengers, we could turn out the lights on the flight deck and there were no seat mates to climb over to get out of your row. Nice!
Joe K. catching some well deserved zzz's on the cargo plane.
Eventually we landed in Amsterdam where more fun awaited us. Believe it or not, we were given more conflicting information about where we were supposed to go, where the rhinos were going, where our luggage needed to be and how everyone/thing was getting where.
As I mentioned in my last blog, we originally thought we would have twelve hours in Amsterdam, but that had been whittled down to about four. 90 minutes of that were spent waiting for the person from the animal hotel to arrive at the plane to transfer the rhinos. She told us we needed to go through the regular passport control so we waited again while they called someone to come and collect us. After that we had to find our own way to the animal hotel, which was about a 20 minute brisk walk. We quickly fed the rhinos, collected our luggage from the pallets (apparently we were breaking some international regulations by leaving them on the pallets. It was OK in South Africa, but not The Netherlands…sigh!) and dashed back to the terminal to check in.
We had been promised that we would get right through the ticketing and security lines. By now we should have known not to take anything at face value. Joe Kalla and I could not print our boarding passes at the numerous ticket kiosks they have in Amsterdam. Dr Joe managed to get some assistance and was successful in printing a boarding pass, but Joe K. and I were directed to a line of other passengers with problems. We decided that Dr Joe should head to the gate because someone needed to be with the rhinos. We also needed to figure out where Dan was. The plan had been to meet him at the hotel the night before and we had no way of letting him know we weren’t going to make it to Amsterdam until morning.
Joe K. discovered that his name was misspelled on his ticket and the people at the “problem line” could not help him. He was sent away to yet another desk with another line.
I was told there was a security hold on my passport for some reason. In our post 9/11 world, this was somewhat disturbing to hear. At this point I was getting a bit impatient and after insisting that I HAD to be on the plane leaving in 20 minutes with the rhinos they printed me a boarding pass but warned me that I would be detained at security. I saw Joe K. still waiting in a line, wished him luck and headed off to try my own luck with security. I caught up with Dr Joe and apparently security didn’t care that I was some sort of risk because no one asked me anything and I went right through. Presently we saw Dan in line behind us. He had spent a not very comfortable night wandering the airport because the hotel room wasn’t in his name and they wouldn’t let him check in. The three of us collectively wondered if Joe K. would make it before boarding. Fortunately (?!?) the flight was packed and getting all the passengers screened took a while. When everyone seemed to have gotten through to the waiting area I asked a staff member if she could check on Joe K’s status. The computer showed that he was checked in with a boarding pass so we crossed our fingers and hoped he would make it. Finally we saw him coming down the hall and at last we were all set for our final leg of the journey!
This plane was again a 747 but it’s what is referred to as a “combi”. It holds both passengers and cargo. The front 2/3 of the plane is passengers, and the back section is cargo. The two sections are separated by a wall with a door through to cargo. To the average passenger this would look like the back of the plane. Little did they know that there were three large and unusual passengers traveling with them! We had our own KLM staff member that flew with us whose sole job it was to let us through the door to the cargo area to check on the rhinos.
Towards the end of the flight, the male rhino began bouncing in his crate. By this point we were used to this, but to the stewardess, who’s job it is to know what sounds are normal on the plane and what aren’t, it was quite a surprise. I saw her eyes get really big and realized that she didn’t know it was the rhinos and not the plane! She breathed a huge sigh of relief when I explained it was just the rhinos moving around a bit. I thought it was amusing that we were reassuring the flight crew instead of the other way around.
We were pretty excited, very tired and also extremely relieved when the captain announced that we must all fasten our seat belts, ensure that our seat backs and tray tables were in the proper upright and locked positions and prepare for landing in Houston. What a welcome sight to see some familiar terrain out the plane window!
It was a beautiful landing. Jeremy Stewart, our resident videographer got a nice shot of our plane landing at IAH. We were very happy to see Hannah Bailey, Curator of Birds, waiting to shuttle us to the cargo area after we cleared customs. When we arrived at cargo, a whole team of zoo staff was already busy getting our three rhinos loaded onto flatbed trucks for the drive to the zoo. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see it yet, here’s the video showing the final leg of the rhino’s journey to the Houston Zoo.
With the rhinos safely unloaded in their brand new barn, our adventure had at long last come to an end. For all of our guests, though, the adventure is just begining! We hope you’ll join us on December 10th for the official opening of The African Forest and you’re own adventures with giraffes, chimpanzees, and of course our three new rhinos, Sibindi, Lynne and Annie Kamariah!
