Taronga Western Plains Zoo is excited to announce, on the eve of World Rhino Day, that one of the Zoo’s White Rhinos is expecting!

“Our veterinary team have confirmed via ultrasound that White Rhino Mopani is pregnant and is approximately four months into her 15 month gestation,” said Zoo Director, Steve Hinks.

“We are absolutely delighted. Every rhino birth is significant, with rhino poaching rates in the wild continuing to escalate. This latest pregnancy is testament to the work of our passionate and dedicated keepers, who provide exceptional husbandry to all the rhinos in our care,” said Steve.

This World Rhino Day, Saturday 22 September, Taronga Western Plains Zoo is continuing to raise awareness of the plight of the world’s five rhino species – all under threat from poaching and habitat loss. 

In addition to sharing stories and images from the Zoo’s Rhino keepers on social media, Taronga Western Plains Zoo is holding a number of activities in grounds on World Rhino Day, including special Rhino keeper talks, face painting, a guessing competition, kids’ activity trail and an information table where visitors can learn more about rhinos and snap their own selfies with the Zoo’s World Rhino Day frames.

“We are encouraging visitors to come along and learn more about Rhinos and help spread the word about their plight,” said Rhino keeper, Tarryn Williams.

“People can also show their support by adding our World Rhino Day facebook frame to their profile picture, or sharing their photos with the hashtag #teamrhino and #WRD2018.”

“Rhinos are being poached at an alarming rate so it is important we try to educate people about the plight and the reasons in which they are being poached, to help dispel the myth that their horn has medicinal properties,” said Tarryn.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is home to three of the five rhino species – Black Rhino, White Rhino and Greater One-horned (or Indian) Rhino. Taronga actively supports conservation efforts for wild Rhinos in Africa, Indonesia and India, including providing funds and support for habitat protection and reforestation, anti-poaching and rhino protection units, and reduction of human-rhino conflict. Taronga is a founding member of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), which has championed the survival of the world's Rhinos through conservation and research for over 25 years. 

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is located in Dubbo in Central Western NSW, and is open every day of the school holidays, from 8.30am - 4pm.

Media Contact:

Mandy Turner

P: 02 6881 1413, M 0420 962 376, E: mturner@zoo.nsw.gov.au.