It’s a rhino on the move, take two.
Hamilton Zoo’s female adult southern white rhinoceros Jamila has successfully moved north to her new home at Auckland Zoo.
The relocation is part of an Australasian zoos’ regional breeding programme for the species.
The operation to transport Jamila occurred earlier this morning, but was kept quiet to ensure a smooth transition. Six-year-old Jamila is now getting used to her new home and Auckland Zoo Curator of Mammals Warren Spencer says the team are excited to introduce her to visitors and rhino males Zambezi and Inkosi.
We are very happy to finally be welcoming her to Auckland Zoo, with our hope, in due course, she will be able to contribute to the Regional Breeding Programme for her species
“It’s been great working with our friends at Hamilton Zoo who are as passionate as us about advocating for and helping the southern white rhino species, near threatened in the wild,” says Warren.
Hamilton Zoo Ungulates Team Leader Aaron Gilmore said the transfer is a positive move for the regional captive breeding programme of southern white rhinos, which is carefully managed to maximise the gene pool and ensure an appropriate population is maintained.
“We’ve had exceptional success with our rhino breeding with seven calves born here and Jamila’s move to Auckland Zoo offers the chance for her to pair up and continue to increase the gene pool” says Mr Gilmore.
Jamila is the daughter of Hamilton Zoo’s male Kruger and female Moesha and was born at Hamilton Zoo in March 2012.
“Jamila is such a cool rhino with a lovely nature. We will miss her but know that it was time for her to move on,” says Aaron.
