RTV Drenthe
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RTV Drenthe
News from the NOS•
Three young males of white rhino were transferred yesterday from Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem and from Belgian Pairi Daiza to Wildands in Emmen. Two adult rhinos from there, Zahra and Limpopo, have moved to Safari Park Beekse Bergen. Emmen will say goodbye to a third party, Emily, next spring.
The reason for the departure of the adult rhinos is a fatal accident in September last year. After meeting their new congener Limpopo, the females fled, with the rhino Elena he slipped into the water and drowned.
The reintegration of young males is one of the biggest challenges within the European breeding program (EEP). The EEP and Wildlands are therefore delighted that it is possible to host the animals in Emmen, he reports RTV Drenthe.
fraternal
Things went wrong last year when the male rhino Limpopo was introduced to female rhino Elena and Zahra. That move was supposed to take care of the young rhinos in the future, but Elena became restless, she slipped into a pool and couldn’t get up on her own. When Limpopo was kicked out, it was too late.
It is important to the breeding program that Zahra becomes pregnant in the short term. If not, she will develop health problems. She then travels with Limpopo to Beekse Bergen, where even more rhinos live.
The three newcomers to Emmen, all around age 3, feel welcome, Drenthe Zoo says. “They spent the night apart from each other, but now they walk together as brothers for the first time,” says a spokesperson for the park. “I’m out getting some fresh air.”
Wildlands Wildlife Park is home to three white rhinos
Within the European Association of Zoos (EAZA) there are a total of 82 animal parks that breed white rhinos. According to Wildlands, this captive population is very important for the conservation and genetics of the species. White rhinos are in serious danger.
The three new males in Emmen are still too young to reproduce. Once they are sexually mature, they are transferred to other parks where they can produce offspring. By caring for them until then, Wildlands wants to continue contributing to the survival of endangered species.
