Zoo transfers critically endangered black rhino for breeding

VERSION OF THE STREETS OF OLD MILWAUKEE WHEN IT OPENS NEXT YEAR. THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO, ALSO PACKED WITH PEOPLE TODAY, GETTING AN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL LOOK AT THE RHINOS LIKE NEVER BEFORE. THE ZOO JUST WELCOMED TWO EASTERN BLACK RHINOS IN NOVEMBER. 12 NEWS DUKE CARTER TAKES US TO THEIR BRAND NEW HABITAT THE ZOO SAYS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE SPECIES TO SURVIVE. >> FROM HOGS TO ZEBRAS, THE NEWEST PART OF THE ADVENTURE AFRICA HABITAT HAS SOMETHING FOR ANIMAL LOVERS OF ALL AGES. LIKE THE EXHIBIT. >> YEAH. >> WHAT DID YOU. >> LIKE? >> I DID THE STICKERS. >> THE STICKERS. RHINO. >> THE RHINO CARE CENTER IS AN ATTRACTION. KIDS AND PARENTS NOW ABLE TO CLEARLY SEE KIONGA, THE MALE RHINO. >> I MEAN, I NEVER REALLY SAW THE RHINOCEROS AS MUCH BEFORE THIS EXHIBIT. I FELT LIKE THEY WERE NOT OUTSIDE MUCH. AND SO THIS IS NICE HAVING AN EXHIBIT TO COME IN, ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. >> KIND OF A FINAL KICK OFF CELEBRATION THAT OUR CONSTRUCTION IS FINISHED. >> THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO SAYS THE RHINO CARE CENTER IS ABOUT 100 ZERO ZERO ZERO SQUARE FEET. THE OUTDOOR AREA TAKES UP MORE THAN A THIRD OF THAT SPACE, GIVING THE ANIMALS A CHANCE TO GRAZE. >> THAT WAS A $22.6 MILLION PROJECT. MOST OF THE COUNTY FUNDS, BUT OUR NONPROFIT PARTNER, THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE, CONTRIBUTED ABOUT $7.4 MILLION. WE HAVE REALLY GREAT INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES. YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT OTHER SPECIES OF RHINO AT THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO. WE HAVE EASTERN BLACK RHINOS, BUT YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT THE OTHER SPECIES THAT EXIST. YOU CAN LEARN THEIR WEIGHT, THEIR HEIGHT. YOU CAN TOUCH A RHINO HORN. >> ZOO OFFICIALS SAY THE UPGRADE TO THE 1950 FACILITY IS NECESSARY IN THIS CASE, TO SAVE RHINOS FROM EXTINCTION. >> RHINOS ARE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, SO THEY’RE HERE ON A SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN. ULTIMATELY, ZURI AND KYUNG ARE TOGETHER TO BE A POTENTIAL BREEDING MATE IN THE FUTURE, SO WE HOPE F

Updated: 12:17 AM EDT May 12, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Updated: 12:17 AM EDT May 12, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

The Racine Zoo in Wisconsin has transferred its female eastern black rhino, Timu, to another Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility as part of a breeding recommendation under the AZA's Species Survival Plan.Timu first arrived at the Racine Zoo in 2003 and had shared an enclosure with another rhino, Kianga, who was moved to Milwaukee County Zoo last fall. The two had been paired to breed under the SSP's recommendation, but the pairing did not result in a successful birth.Video above: Zoo celebrates a $22.6 million rhino care center, offering a spacious habitat for rhinos and interactive experiences for visitorsThe AZA's breeding recommendations this year called for Timu to be transferred to a facility with a track record of success in eastern black rhino breeding.Racine Zoo staff worked with the receiving facility's team on the transition, including modifications to Timu's diet, training and online meetings so the new staff could become familiar with her."We are proud to help increase the conservation of endangered species for generations to come," said Beth Heidorn, executive director of the Racine Zoo."Timu was a guest favorite, and we were sad to see her go but so excited for her future and what that means to her kind," said Beth Heidorn, executive director of the Racine Zoo.Eastern black rhinos are critically endangered, with wild populations declining from around 70,000 in the 1970s to about 1,650 today. The decline is attributed to illegal hunting, primarily for their horns.The zoo said it will announce news about a new resident for the facility's north end in the future.

RACINE, Wis. —

Timu first arrived at the Racine Zoo in 2003 and had shared an enclosure with another rhino, Kianga, who was moved to Milwaukee County Zoo last fall. The two had been paired to breed under the SSP's recommendation, but the pairing did not result in a successful birth.

Video above: Zoo celebrates a $22.6 million rhino care center, offering a spacious habitat for rhinos and interactive experiences for visitors

The AZA's breeding recommendations this year called for Timu to be transferred to a facility with a track record of success in eastern black rhino breeding.

Racine Zoo staff worked with the receiving facility's team on the transition, including modifications to Timu's diet, training and online meetings so the new staff could become familiar with her.

"We are proud to help increase the conservation of endangered species for generations to come," said Beth Heidorn, executive director of the Racine Zoo."Timu was a guest favorite, and we were sad to see her go but so excited for her future and what that means to her kind," said Beth Heidorn, executive director of the Racine Zoo.

Eastern black rhinos are critically endangered, with wild populations declining from around 70,000 in the 1970s to about 1,650 today. The decline is attributed to illegal hunting, primarily for their horns.

The zoo said it will announce news about a new resident for the facility's north end in the future.

Make WLKY a preferred source on Google

Zoo transfers critically endangered black rhino for breeding

Weather Information

Share