New Assam Rhino Exhibit Opens At Woodland Park Zoo

SEATTLE, WA - The Woodland Park Zoo's new Assam Rhino Reserve opens Saturday in Seattle, including two greater one-horned rhinos, which are classified as a vulnerable species. The reserve will also include tortoises and cranes.

Here's more on the opening from Woodland Park Zoo:

Join Woodland Park Zoo in celebrating rhinos, turtles and cranes at the opening of Assam Rhino Reserve on May 5. And, meet the star attractions in the new special exhibition: rhinos Taj and Glenn. Assam Rhino Reserve will showcase greater one-horned rhinos, Asian brown tortoises and demoiselle cranes.

Rhinos are iconic symbols of the wildlife trafficking crisis. The exhibit will highlight the amazing adaptations of these three species and bring to life the impact of poaching, the illegal wildlife trade and the turtle extinction crisis. Trafficking issues happening right here in Puget Sound also will be addressed such as black bear, elk, sturgeon and even the little-known sea cucumber. Grand opening day activities will include rhino keeper talks, free rhino stickers and a new costumed rhino mascot.

Stop by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s “Turn In a Poacher” trailer to learn how to report suspicious fish and wildlife activities, and meet U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife inspectors at the exhibit’s wildlife trafficking display.

Enjoy raptor flight programs and a variety of animal care keeper talks and activities throughout the zoo and in Zoomazium. And, be sure to stop by the video booth and share your love for rhinos. Rhinos Taj and Glenn, both males, are newcomers to the zoo and mark the first time rhinoceros will live at Woodland Park Zoo in its 118-year history. Pronounced like Taj Mahal, Taj means “crown” or “jewel” in Hindi. He was born Nov. 10, 2016 at San Diego Zoo Safari Park and is the 70th greater one-horned rhino born at the Safari Park since 1972, making the Park the foremost breeding facility in the world for this rhino species. Glenn was born a day apart from Taj on Nov. 11, 2016 at The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in Cumberland, Ohio and operated by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. He was named in honor of the late astronaut and Senator John Glenn, who was a dear friend of the Ohio conservation organization.

Zoo guests will see many natural behaviors of this water-loving species including wallowing in mud, grazing on land, immersing in a shallow pool and nibbling on aquatic plants along the edge of the pool. For an additional fee, up-close encounters with the rhinos will be offered throughout the summer.

Image courtesy Woodland Park Zoo