Posted on 08/30/2012 7:12:03 PM PDT by Dysart
FORT WORTH -- In May 1990, two young greater one-horned rhinoceroses arrived at the Fort Worth Zoo in handmade wooden crates, a gift from the King of Nepal at the request of the Bass family.
Arun, the male, and Aarati, the female, had been captured in the wild by a Nepali wildlife conservationist who wanted the animals in safety as a hedge against extinction. The zoo tried for years to breed the unrelated pair because of their genetic importance, but for a variety of reasons, it never happened.
Years went by, and Aarati died of medical problems.
The zoo finally got its wish in the spring of 2011. Arun impregnated another female, Shanti, on loan from the San Francisco Zoo. That baby was born Aug. 16 (yes, gestation was 16 months long) and introduced to zoo visitors Thursday, a 110-pound miniature version of her 25-year-old mother and 23-year-old father.
"I've seen 25 or 30 baby rhinos in my career, but never one of these," said Michael Fouraker, director of the Fort Worth Zoo. "This is a very significant event for the zoo, and it is for me personally too."
(Excerpt) Read more at star-telegram.com ...
Mitt takes his first steps.
At first glance I thought this article was going to be about Mitt Romney's nomination.
I’m not sure about this particular rhino species, but I do know that Nepal has a boatload of rhinos down along the Indian-Nepal border in the Chitwan national park. Steaming piles of dung everywhere the size of bushel baskets (much like Washington D.C.). You can even rent elephants and chase the rhinos around - heck, the mahout will chase and butt the rhinos with the elephant and the rhinos back down. It’s crazy, but it’s also a blast.
Thank you for this timely news. :)
LOL!
Perfect timing!
That’s the kind of Rhino I like. Spelled with an “h”.
Sorry, should have pinged you.
Little rhino babe looks like he has a jacket made out of shoe leather.
Momma tank and Baby tank...So cute!
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