The San Antonio Zoo today announced a major upgrade of its rhino habitat, and plans to begin a breeding program for Southern White Rhinos, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The new habitat, which is set to be open next year, will also house zebras, crown cranes, and marabou storks, and will be connected to the existing giraffe habitat of The Savanna to approximate the animals' native habitat.
“The new rhino habitat will create an extension of The Savanna which opened in 2015 and features giraffes, allowing for a larger more naturalistic habitat” said Tim Morrow, CEO and Executive Director of San Antonio Zoo. “Once completed, the rhino habitat will contain a passage that will allow different species of animals the opportunity to move between areas of The Savanna. Our desire is to create enriching opportunities for the animals in our care, and to provide guests with a true African savanna-like experience.”
The Zoo also will add a nursery area to the new habitat, and will begin a breeding program for Southern White Rhinos. Rhino populations are dwindling worldwide due to habitat destruction and poaching.
Future rhino births will carry on a decades long tradition of successes in San Antonio and will greatly contribute to the Species Survival Plan for this species.
PHOTO COURTESY: CHUCK CUREAU, SAN ANTONIO ZOO