Two new baby rhinos at Dehiwala Zoo

by Sajitha Prematunge

After more than two years of exchange programme negotiations with the Nagoya Higashima Zoo of Japan, the Dehiwala Zoo is now the proud home to two new baby rhinos, Kosala (5 years) and Anula (8 years) the male and female rhinos, chris tened after the male and female baby elephants sent to the Nagoya Zoo.

The rhinoceroses, that arrived in the Dehiwala Zoo recently are Black rhinoceroses, one of the very rare and highly endangered rhinoceros species, found only in countries such as South Africa, Sumatra, Java and India. Their major outstanding characteristic is the horn, which is not a horn at all.

Made out of Keratin, that make up our hair and nails, the horn has no connection with their skulls. Shy animals by nature they can be seen grazing during dawn and dusk. Rhinoceroses have big bodies with thick folding skins. They are primarily solitary, except during the mating season and are also highly territorial.

The veterinary surgeon of the Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala Dr. Jagath Jayasekera told the 'Sunday Observer' that the Zoo got down two rhinos with breeding in mind. But since the rhinos were from two different Zoos in Japan, it would take some time for them to get along with each other.

The rhinoceroses have been initially stressed out because of the change in climate and food, and have wounded themselves by banging their heads on the cages during transport by plane and for a few days after arriving at the Zoo, but they came around eventually. The rhino babies are now under antibiotics and the vet says that the wounds are already healing.

With a lifespan of 40 years, the female rhinoceroses give birth to the young after a gestation period of 16 months. Threats to wild rhinoceroses include habitat loss and poaching. Captive breeding is therefore a vital part of rhino conservation. A critically endangered species with only around 4,000 left in the wild, it's highly imperative to keep their numbers in check. The Zoological Gardens at Dehiwala is intent on having a few more consignments in the future.