RZSS Edinburgh Zoo are celebrating World Rhino Day this Saturday 23 September with a number of rhino themed fundraising activities throughout the day.
The event will raise awareness and highlight the plight of rhinos in the wild, while also focusing on the zoo’s conservation work in this field. Money raised from activities will help fund the development of the rhino enclosure, which also includes purchasing a set of enormous rhino scales!
Phoebe Dowens, Hoofstock Keeper at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo said: “With a fully-grown rhino weighing in at around 2.5 tonnes, a normal set of scales just isn’t an option. If we are successful in raising the £600 needed to fund the scales, we will be able to get an up-to-date picture of a rhino’s weight in an instant, helping us closely monitor the health and well-being of the animals in our care.
“If you’re in the area, come along and take part in a whole range of World Rhino Day activities, or see if you can guess the weight of the rhino dung for your chance to win some fantastic prizes on the day.”
Edinburgh Zoo is currently home to Bertus, the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Born in 2008, Bertus will go on to participate in the endangered species breeding programme in Europe when fully mature. Also known as the Indian rhinoceros, this species of rhino had previously faced extinction but, as a result of continued conservation efforts, has now increased to a population of roughly 3500. As with all rhino species, poaching and habitat destruction present a real threat, so conservation work must continue to protect them.
For more information on visiting Edinburgh Zoo go to www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
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