Julie's Journal - October 2001

One of the cutest, most adorable animals I’ve ever seen is a baby rhino. I’ve watched two at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, running circles around their moms, playing with branches, and covering themselves with mud. Even though Busch Gardens has had several black rhinos born at the park, it’s always one of the most anticipated moments of the year. I’m sure one reason is because they are so gosh darn cute! But the other is that rhinos are severely endangered.

A TALE OF TWO SPECIES

Africa and Busch Gardens are both home to two species of rhino, the black, and the white. It’s estimated that there are only 3 to 4,000 black and 4 to 5,000 white rhinos left in the wild. Hunted for their horn, which is still used in Asian medicines and culture, rhino populations have declined dramatically over the past 40 years. And as the human population of Africa grows, less room and resources are left for the rhino. Square lipped white rhinos are grazers, and at weights reaching 7,000 pounds, they need quite a bit of open grasslands and water to survive. Black rhinos are browsers, feeding mostly on leaves, shoots and twigs, pulling off the preferred sections with their prehensile pointed lip.

Even though habitat loss and poaching are still threats, many people are working hard to save rhinos. Some of these efforts include relocations to safe areas, harsh penalties for poachers, and education to reduce demand for horn.

The white rhino is one of two species housed at Busch Gardens Tampa

HELP IS ON THE WAY

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is involved in several areas to help the rhino. Besides supporting rhino research and conservation efforts in Africa, the rhinos at Busch Gardens participate in important research themselves by providing trained voluntary blood samples, and the ability to record growth rates and behavior. Just the opportunity for the public to watch these magnificent animals does much to increase appreciation and concern for them.

Busch Gardens Tampa has had several successful black rhino births

Not so long ago I stood watching a three-week old baby black rhino roll awkwardly in the mud, first covering one side, then the other, while rocking and kicking out his feet the whole time. He stayed close to his mother, who was very protective of him. The whole tranquil scene brought a big smile to my face. Then, I suppose, my smile fell a bit as I found myself wishing that wild rhinos had the ability to engage in these same behaviors without the threat of extinction. Mankind is the rhino’s only predator, so mankind is the only one who can save them. I’m glad we take that seriously at Busch Gardens.