Get Up Close and Personal with Rhinos!

The Indianapolis Zoo’s rhino exhibit features unprecedented vistas for visitors, including a dynamic elevated overlook pavilion that is thrust into the center of the exhibit itself and is reached by crossing a rope suspension bridge. Resembling an African safari tent nestled among shady trees, this covered pavilion exemplifies the Zoo’s approach on this exhibit — giving the opportunity for the Zoo visitor to get as close as possible to these two-ton animals so they will begin to understand what is authentically wondrous about rhinos. The exhibit also features another elevated platform that overlooks the rhinos’ mud wallow — a sure favorite spot for these mud-loving mammals.

Contrary to belief, the name of these animals does not refer to their color, which is actually gray. The white rhino's name derives from the Dutch Afrikaans word "weit," meaning wide, a reference to its wide, square muzzle adapted for grazing. The white rhino also has a pronounced hump on the neck and a long face.

The rhinos are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative population management and conservation program. Indianapolis Zoo officials hope that this group will be the nucleus of a breeding program for this threatened species and a continuation of the success the Zoo has already enjoyed with its African elephant reproductive research and breeding program.

Plant material was selected to create the effect of a natural habitat of the white rhino, which is the grassland savanna. The dominant shade tree used is the honey locust, which has the kind of branching pattern and open canopy that might be found on the savanna. Shrubs with a gnarly, rugged character and both native and ornamental grasses make up the balance of the plant palette. The old elephant yard pond that functioned as an exhibit barrier was converted to a mud wallow designed to function as a naturally occurring feature, while allowing zoo staff access for regular maintenance and cleaning.

The stars of the rhino exhibit, of course, are the rhinos themselves. According to the Zoo curatorial staff, the first thing visitors are likely to notice is the immense size and peculiar angularity of this animal's head. As visitors continue to watch, they are likely to become impressed with the natural agility and smooth gait of the rhinos. After a time, it is hoped that visitors will also develop a sense of being in the presence of a gentle and inquisitive demeanor. Under close observation, the rhinos will seem to change from ungainly giants to beings of incredible attributes that are both charming and attractive in their own particular way.

The Indianapolis Zoological Society is indebted to John and Cynde Barnes for their contribution in bringing the rhinos to Indianapolis. In addition, other significant contributions came from Covance, The Efroymson Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, Polly H. Hix, and Bob & Cheryl Sparks.