Critically endangered Eastern black rhino arrive

We have welcomed two rare black rhinos this week as the latest additions to our animal family.

Our eastern black rhinos are the only herd in Wales, consisting of one male, named Nkosi, and one female, Manyara. A third female will join the group shortly, making the trio a breeding herd.

The rhinos have made the Kifaru Reserve – a five and a half acre, purpose built paddock – their new home, which features a bespoke house that includes four indoor facilities and straw beds for them to sleep on.

As rhinos are solitary animals and generally don’t enjoy the company of other rhinos, the Kifaru Reserve has separate interlinking rooms, allowing them to be moved around easily.

The new enclosure will be a flagship exhibit to tell the story of the role of modern zoos in conservation and will highlight Folly Farm’s hands-on commitment to conservation through the projects it supports in the wild and closer to home.

Jack Gradidge, our head rhino keeper said:

An adult black rhino can weigh up to 1.5 tonnes, similar to the weight of a car, and eat lucerne hay, pellets, branches and leaves. Rhinos form dung piles known as middens to mark their territory, and are usually very shy and reclusive animals.

We will use the new enclosure to raise money for the Rhino Dog Squad appeal by Save the Rhino. The money raised will help train dogs and dog handlers as they play a vital role in protecting rhinos across wildlife conservancies by tracking the scent of rhinos, their horns, guns and ammunition as well as being able to attack poachers in order to disable the gun holding arm.