Copenhagen Zoo - Rhino enclosure

The enclosure for southern white rhinoes in Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark. A decent enclosure for rhinoes in my opinion but a bit on the small side. I like the use of trees though and the rhinoes have a large mudhole available just below the frame in this shot.

This enclosure is part of the new savannah enclosure in Copenhagen Zoo, opened in 2007. The three original savannah enclosures were combined and expanded. The savannah is divided into four parts by some large wooden poles.
The grant\'s zebras, blue wildebeests, sable antelopes, impalas, blesboks and ostriches have access to all the parts, the reticulated giraffes have two parts, the white rhinoes to one part and the hippoes to another part. All the large mammals are separated at all times.

It is a shame that the zoo keeps white rhinoes since this exhibits would be much better suited for black rhinoes.

September 2009

I too would love if Copenhagen kept black rhino, but why do you mean that the enclosure as such would be better suited for that particular species?

The major difference between black and white rhinoes is how their lips are formed. This determines their habitat. White rhinoes have long, square lips suited for grazing large amounts of grass = the white rhino is a grazer. Black rhinoes have pointy lips perfect for picking of specific vegetation on bushes and trees = the black rhino is a browser.

Recent studies have shown that white rhinoes in zoos do much better in large groups on large open savannahs, such as found in safariparks and open-range zoos. In fact, large groups are often important to get them to breed. The EAZA recommends that zoos with white rhinoes keep at least 2.2.

This exhibit, however, is not a large open field with room for 2.2 or more white rhinoes. That is why I think they should switch to blacks. Plant a couple of more trees and you have got yourself a nice little bush-savannah, such is the ones black rhinoes live in. Furthermore, black rhinoes are solitary animals meaning that we could just keep 1.1, thereby increasing the size for the individual animal.

Do you see my point? (not sure I explained it properly).

Oh, I see your point and it makes perfect sense. I did not know that 2.2 was the recommended minimum for white rhino. Black rhino would have been exciting, indeed!

I guess the only possible downside of the idea would be the black rhino´s aggressive nature - perhaps it wouldn´t be possible to let the other animals on the savanna have access to the 3000 sq meters that make up the rhino´s part of the savanna, like they have now? On the other hand - as the other species can pass in and out of the rhino area, maybe it would work just as fine with black rhino as with white.

Hmmm... yes, I would have liked to see this idea tested!