Buffalo Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo Announce Rhinoceros Transfer
The Buffalo Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo are pleased to announce the successful transfer of two rhinos between the two institutions.
On October 3rd, Romeo, a four-year-old male Eastern black rhinoceros, left Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago IL, and moved to Buffalo, while Lulu, a female five-year-old Eastern black rhino, moved from Buffalo to Chicago. The transfer of Romeo and Lulu was part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommendation to support Eastern black rhino conservation.
“The Buffalo Zoo is proud to be a part of this major rhino undertaking,” said Lisa Smith, Buffalo Zoo President, and CEO. “It is incredibly important that we continue to work together to save this critically endangered species. Moving these rhinos to their new homes gives each Zoo a chance to work towards the conservation of the species. There are currently 53 animals at 26 AZA-accredited zoos so every female being in a breeding situation is critical to the population.”
Romeo comes to Buffalo where he will spend the next few years maturing before he is ready to breed. Lulu moves to Chicago with the hope of being successfully paired up with their 19-year-old male.
“Lincoln Park Zoo is honored to provide a new home for Lulu,” said Cassy Kutilek, Curator of Carnivores and Large Mammals at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Lulu’s arrival helps support this critically endangered population through the Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan. Romeo is an incredibly special rhino who is strong, calm, and observant, and we’re glad Buffalo Zoo is providing a new space for him to enter into adulthood.”
Black rhinos are one of the most endangered mammals on the planet, with The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species listing the Eastern Black rhino as a critically endangered species. The total is estimated to be 5,500 individuals remaining in the wild. They are threatened by a number of factors, including poaching, habitat loss, and climate change.
The Buffalo Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Grounds remain open for one hour after admission gates close. Every visit to the Buffalo Zoo helps the Zoo take another step toward achieving its mission of saving wildlife.
