Posted on 09/08/2010 2:04:34 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History has opened a new, state-of-the-art “Rare Rhinos of Africa” exhibit designed to engage and excite visitors about rhinos, conservation and Africa.
The Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History has opened a new, state-of-the-art “Rare Rhinos of Africa” exhibit designed to engage and excite visitors about rhinos, conservation and Africa.
The Eastern Black Rhinos that call the Great Plains Zoo home are only two (a breeding pair) of 60 of the rare rhinos in the entire United States. The Eastern Black Rhino is an extremely endangered species. It is estimated that fewer than 4,000 of the species survive in the wild.
The exhibit is intended to allow visitors to interact and immerse themselves in learning about these animals. “Through the educational components in this exhibit, our guests are able to learn about the plight of the endangered Eastern Black Rhino and why our help is needed to keep this species from extinction,” said Elizabeth A. Whealy, President and CEO of the Great Plains Zoo.
The exhibit is complete with interactive kiosks, touch panels to feel a rhino horn, ears that allow guests to learn about a rhino’s super sense of hearing, and other engaging elements.
“We hope to generate a passion that ensures the Eastern Black Rhinos survive, and that future generations see these animals, rather than just read about another extinct species in a textbook,” noted Whealy.
“Rare Rhinos of Africa” has changed the way the visitors view animals from simply seeing an animal in an exhibit to allowing a complete interactive and engaging experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to feel as though they stepped from South Dakota straight into Africa.
The exhibit at the Great Plains Zoo includes two outdoor exhibit yards that allows the pair of rhinos, or a family of three, to roam and run in the grass, wallow in the mud, and snack on browse comfortably together. The innovative “rhino-day room” allows visitors to see the training Zookeepers interact and take care of the rhinos year-round.
The Great Plains Zoo press release is a cooperative partnership with the South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development.
RINOs are on their way to extinction.
Who has the McCain-Rhino photo?
Gonna need a whole herd of ‘em: McCain, Castle, Graham, Steele, etc.
Maybe they should have McCain in a cage there.
Will be there this weekend...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.