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Summary of Transcript:
Zoo Atlanta welcomed Kiazi, their first-ever female Southern white rhinoceros, who arrived from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. She was transported in a crate on an 18-wheeler and carried by a particular forklift with a combined weight of 4,500 pounds. Getting her into her new habitat involved positioning her in the rhino corral and allowing her to back out of the crate for safety reasons. Kiazi will undergo quarantine and get used to the habitat before being introduced to Mumbles, the male Southern white rhino. The species survival program recommends the two breeds, but gestation can take up to 16 months. Zo Atlanta is hopeful to have baby rhinos in the future.
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Summary of Description:
Zoo Atlanta welcomed a 19-year-old female southern white rhino named Kiazi on October 11, 2021. Kiazi has been recommended by AZA’s White Rhino Species Survival Plan® to join Mumbles, the male southern white rhino at the zoo. Lead Keeper Kate provided information on how to transport a rhino. More details on Kiazi and south white rhinos can be found on Zoo Atlanta’s website.
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Zoo Atlanta Welcomes a New Addition
On October 11, 2021, Kiazi, a 19-year-old female southern white rhino, arrived at Zoo Atlanta. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommended her arrival’ (AZA) White Rhino Species Survival Plan® (SSP). Kiazi is set to join Mumbles, the male southern white rhino residing at Zoo Atlanta for quite some time. But how do you transport a rhino?
Transporting a Rhino
Transporting a rhino is no easy feat. Rhinos, like most wild animals, are rough and challenging to handle. Zookeepers and animal specialists must take several precautions when transporting these magnificent creatures. One such protection is ensuring the animals are as calm as possible. This helps minimize the stress on the animals and provides the safety of the zookeepers and handlers involved in the transport.
Preparation is vital when it comes to transporting such large and powerful animals. According to Kate, a lead keeper at Zoo Atlanta, transporting a rhino involves a carefully planned and executed process. Usually, the transport process includes monitoring the animals’ behavior and ensuring that they are well-fed and hydrated before the journey.
Once the animals are comfortable and the process is underway, the zookeepers ensure the rhinos are placed in a safe and secure transport vehicle. This vehicle should be large enough to accommodate the rhinos comfortably while ensuring that the animals are suitably restrained to prevent any injury or damage to the surrounding environment.
A New Home for Kiazi
Kiazi’s move to Zoo Atlanta is a significant win for conservation efforts, as the southern white rhino has faced extreme habitat loss and poaching in the wild. Kiazi was recommended to join Mumbles, the male southern white rhino, by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) White Rhino Species Survival Plan® (SSP). This plan ensures that endangered species, like the southern white rhino, are protected and propagated.
The southern white rhino is a magnificent animal that is critical to the African ecosystem. By introducing Kiazi to Mumbles, Zoo Atlanta is playing its part in helping to preserve this species for future generations. Visitors to the zoo will now have the chance to see these two magnificent animals interact with each other and explore their new surroundings in Zoo Atlanta.
Final Thoughts
Kiazi’s arrival at Zoo Atlanta marks a significant milestone in conservation efforts for the southern white rhino populations. The animal specialists and zookeepers involved carefully planned and executed her move. Through conservation efforts like the AZA’s White Rhino Species Survival Plan®, we can help preserve these magnificent creatures for future generations.
To learn more about Kiazi and the southern white rhinoceros, visit the Zoo Atlanta website to learn about these impressive animals.
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Source Description
Zoo Atlanta welcomed Kiazi, a 19-year-old female southern white rhino, on October 11, 2021. Kiazi has been recommended to join Mumbles, the male southern white rhino at Zoo Atlanta, by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) White Rhino Species Survival Plan® (SSP). How do you transport a rhino? Lead Keeper Kate tells us more.
Learn more about Kiazi: https://zooatlanta.org/welcomes-kiazi-the-southern-white-rhino/
Learn more about southern white rhinos: https://zooatlanta.org/animal/southern-white-rhinoceros/
