ROYAL OAK, Mich., June 5, 2006 — June 10 marks the one-year anniversary of the addition of two male endangered white rhinoceroses to the Detroit Zoo.  Their arrival last year signaled the first time the Zoo had ever been home to white rhinos.  Six-year-old Jasiri relocated to Detroit from Florida’s Jacksonville Zoo, while five-year-old Tamba came from the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee.

According to Principal Zookeeper Judy Stephens, the animals have adapted well and have revealed distinct personalities.  “Tamba is the more social of the two and does everything with gusto.  Jasiri is happy to let Tamba be the leader while maintaining his ability to stand up for himself when necessary.  They have become accustomed to their new home and get along well with each other.”

The Detroit Zoo’s former elephant habitat was transformed into a new environment for the white rhinos to accommodate their social and physical needs.  The enclosure’s steep-sided moat was modified into a milder slope and the pool was made shallower, creating a suitable environment for the “gentle giants.” 

Adult white rhinos weigh an average 6,000 pounds and stand about six feet tall, making them the second-largest land mammal, smaller only than the elephant.  The white rhino’s name does not refer to the color of its light gray skin; rather it is thought to originate from the Dutch word “weit,” meaning wide, referring to its wide square muzzle.

“We love our white rhinos,” said Stephens.  “They’re happy, healthy and active, and are an amazing addition to the Zoo experience for our visitors.”

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily April through October, with extended hours 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August.  Admission is $11.00 for adults 13 to 61, $9.00 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7.00 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 398-0900 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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