Comments on: Gram the Rhino: Journey Begins

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:13:03 +0000

I was exploring there site today and found a link to video of Gram painting. There keeper also gives a nice shout out to San Diego’s success with breeding.
heres the link

www dot kwch dot com/global/catergory.asp?C=87607

you may have to scroll through the video toolbar on the side

Moderator’s note: Thanks for sharing this fun video of our lovable Gram. So glad to see he’s doing well in his new home in Kansas.

By: Karla

Karla — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:54:28 +0000

Laura, Just a quite little update on Gram. My Mother went to a wedding reception Saturday evening at the animal park and she asked them about Gram. She didn’t get to see him as it was evening. They couldn’t believe that she knew about Gram. They told her that he is doing GREAT and they LOVE him. They said he is like a big baby, he loves to have his belly scratched.

Moderator’s note: What wonderful news, Karla! Thanks for sharing.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:48:29 +0000

Karla, #3, thanks for checking on Gram for us, and for keeping us posted. He is a lucky Rhino to have a fan living so close to his new home. We look forward to your updates on him in Kansas.

Hopefully Laura will ge to visit him in his new home some day too.

It is interesting to witness the animals reactions when former keepers come to see them years later. They still recognize their voice and scent, especially the elephants.

By: Louise

Louise — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 21:22:17 +0000

Thank you so much for telling us the story of how Gram got ready for this journey. It was fascinating to read about him progressing through each stage and inspirational to know how hard you worked so he wouldn’t be upset by the journey.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:27:29 +0000

It’s almost like sending a child off to college. I am a huge animal lover, but for some reason I never took to the Rhino. Then one day I saw a Rhino run and I was hooked. I thought it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. Rhinos are loaded with personality. Good luck Gram.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:34:27 +0000

Thank you Laura for taking such good care of Gram. It’s so great to know that you were with him for the *heavy lifting* and that he behaved as the true rhino champ that he is! Good luck to him in his new home.

I’m also glad he has a new friend in Karla (#3) to visit him when he’s ready.

By: Bernice

Bernice — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 02:41:28 +0000

Ohh…thanks for the update on Gram Laura! Your patient training really helped minimize Gram’s stress…and your words just show how much you care. Gram knows this too – that’s why you’re a comfort to him. I’m sure you will miss him loads but he sounds like an independent boy. Best wishes Gram!!

By: Karla

Karla — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:08:59 +0000

Laura, Since I live in Wichita, KS and Goddard is not that far (maybe 20 minutes) I will try and get out to see Gram at his new home and let some of you know how he is doing. We people in Kansas will take good care of Gram!!!! Laura, will he be in quarantine for 30 days?

Moderator’s note: We would love to hear how Gram is doing, Karla. Thanks for looking out for him!

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:03:29 +0000

Thanks, Laura, I was laughing and teary eyed at the same time. I am sure you were sad to say Goodbye, but grateful that your training paid off. It sounds like it was not super stressful for Gram thanks to all your hours of hard work and attention. Did anyone ride with the animals in the container on their journey for 25 hours? I sure hope so or there would have been a trailer load of stressed out animals. From your last sentence it sounds like everyone made it to Kansas OK and that Gram, at least, was not overly stressed. How long will he be in quarantine adjusting to his new environment? Hopefully his new keepers are as patient and encouraging as you have been. They will build a new trust relationship with him, and he will be on to even more exciting adventures in his brand new home. He is a smart boy and will respond accordingly. You have done a terrific job of preparing him for his new life. Talk about enrichment, this journey was enough enrichment to last him for several years!

By: Shirley Sykes

Shirley Sykes — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:52:08 +0000

Thanks for telling us about Gram, Laura. You’ve certainly done a wonderful job getting him ready for his brave new world in Kansas. Please tell us the name of the animal park he’s going to, and how he did on the long trip across half the country. I saw the tapirs in his old area yesterday, and am looking forward to seeing the giraffes there when their enclosure is made ready for them. It will be a treat having giraffes, tapirs, and elephants on the same mesa.