First Rhino Calf at Potter Park Prepares to Move Home

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: September 30, 2021 1:46 pm

Jaali the black rhino interacts with a keeper at the Potter Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Potter Park Zoo

Potter Park Zoo are preparing for the move of the first black rhino calf to eve be born at the facility. Jaali will be making the move from Michigan in America’s Midwest to the Living Desert Zoo in California.

His birth marked an exciting milestone with only a handful of black rhino births recorded at zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) each year. The birth followed years of planning and planning and cooperation between veterinarians, zookeepers, rhino experts, and multiple AZA institutions.

Jaali will be moving cross country from Michigan in the Midwest to California on the western coastline of North America

Photo Credit: Potter Park Zoo

In the two years that Jaali has called Potter Park Zoo home he has helped to bring attention to black rhino conservation, inspired visitors and grown a fan base of thousands.

“We are incredibly grateful our community has embraced Jaali with such enthusiasm”” said Zoo Director Cindy Wagner. “While we will all miss Jaali, we also celebrate as he moves to The Living Desert Zoo where he will continue the growth of a genetically diverse population of rhinos in human care which is critical to the future of black rhinos.”

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Just 55 eastern black rhinos are housed at AZA accredited facilities and only 5,400 individuals remain in Africa following years of poaching and habitat loss.

At the Living Desert Zoo Jaali will meet a young female from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with hopes that the pair will breed. It has also been recommended that his parents Doppsee and Phineas be allowed to breed again.

To celebrate Jaali and allow fans to see him one last time a going-away party will be held at the zoo this weekend. Starting at 10am and ending at 4pm keepers will be provided him with enrichment every two hours.