New Rhino Rolls in to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: May 5, 2021 2:59 pm

Brian the greater one-horned rhino is settling in at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Photo Credit: Amanda Carberry/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have celebrated the arrival of 4 year old greater one-horned rhino known as Brian. He arrived on April 9th 2021 from the Conservation of Tropical Ungulates (CCTU), an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Sustainability Partner located in Florida.

Keepers report that Brian has been settling in at his new home in the Zoo’s Asia Quest region. He has been introduced to a range of behind the scenes areas. They have been forging a bond with their new charge over applesauce and alfalfa hay.

Brian is one of the 80 greater-one horned rhinos housed in zoos across North America. They are managed as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a cooperatively managed program designed to maximize the genetic diversity and increase the population sustainability of threatened and endangered species in human care.

The arrival of this greater one-horned rhino is extremely important for the breeding program. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will be able to partner with their sister site The Wilds in breeding efforts.

Brian has been selected as the future breeding bull at the Wilds and will move there when it is time for him to meet the females as these animals only come together to mate.

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During his time at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Brian will enjoy a newly renovated home. The habitat was previously home to Rosie, a black rhino who passed away in November 2020 at the age of 30.

The renovated enclosure will combine two smaller yards in to one larger space with a pool which this semi-aquatic rhino can enjoy.

“As a representative of his vulnerable species, Brian is playing a vital role in protecting the future of greater one-horned rhinos. Our Zoo and Wilds staff are proud to join our community and conservation partners to raise public awareness about rhinos and help sustain their population so rhinos can be around for generations to come,” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Interim President/CEO Jerry Borin.

Greater one-horned rhinos are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species™. As few as 3,500 are thought to remain in the wild though this represents an increase from 1975 when only 600 were thought to remain.

Columbus Zoo and the Wilds provide funding to support rhino conservation in the wild.