Adventures in Rhino Keeping
Posted at 11:40 am October 7, 2008 by Laura WeinerIn my last blog (Meet Our New Rhino), I referred to a new rhino, Surat, who would be coming to the San Diego Zoo soon. Well, he has arrived and made a big impression. Soman, who arrived in July, was definitely wound up when first released onto exhibit and stayed that way for about a week. He eventually calmed down and has become relaxed and comfortable in his exhibit. His younger brother, Surat, has not followed the same path.
Surat arrived the third week of September and let his presence be known. He ran all over the exhibit, jumped a feeder, slid down into the moat, and put his two front feet over the edge. He found the barn and has been spending most of the past three weeks inside. His occasional trips outside include charging at the guests in a big cloud of dust. I have watched as people cower, laugh, and are then amazed at the power of this small 2-year-old Indian rhino. It is quite a sight to see! If you can see through the dust cloud, that is.
This week we decided to introduce the two boys to each other. Even though they are full brothers, they did not grow up knowing each other. We were not sure how they would react to each other when they first met. In the past, I have seen some major fighting between rhinos when first introduced, which is completely normal. The only way to find out was to let them meet in person. We had a group of keepers in front of the exhibit ready with fire extinguishers and a hose, just in case. I opened the doors to let each one out on exhibit and Soman left first, went to his feeder, and ate his grain. Surat took a few minutes to exit the barn, and when he saw Soman he did a bluff charge and snorted at him. Soman glanced his way and snorted back. No fanfare, no fighting, just an acknowledgment that there was another rhino. For the rest of the day, Surat followed closely on Soman’s rear. They even took a nice dip in the pool together after a couple of laps around the exhibit.
A few hours after they met, I observed Surat laying down in the barn and Soman licking him. And I am not talking one or two licks. I mean his whole side and neck were soaked. It was very cute. They switched roles later in the day.
All in all it went very well for a rhino introduction. Surat, as I assumed, was very happy to have another rhino friend around. Soman has become so calm that, as I hoped, he would be a good influence on Surat. So far so good!
Laura Weiner is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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October 7th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
What a great story!! Are male rhinos social with each other in the wild? Or do they tend to keep a distance from one another? Since Soman and Surat are both young–3 and 2, I think you said–is it easier for them to adjust?? Or are their personalities the main factor?? In any case, it sounds like they are enjoying each other’s comany. I’m so glad that everything has turned out so well! And thank you for the great work you do!
October 7th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Laura, thanks for an interesting account of re-introducing full brother rhinos. it must have been very funny watching Surat struting his stuff, acting tough, amusing staff and visitors with all his antics before settling down in his new home. where did Soman come from? why were they separated? how long do baby rhinos stay with their mother? lots of questions! keep us informed about these two rhinos. maybe they are not as interesting to watch as they mature? I don’t know alot about rhinos. so, will look forward to all the information you can relay. thanks!
October 10th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Good story! Tell Soman and Surat I said hello,please. Thank you. That goes for Mrs. Weiner, too. Good weekend to both.
October 10th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
how are the brothers doing Laura.? that post was so funny about surat! I bet they keep each other company now and are good friends? everyone needs someone! they look like little balls of armour. they look very intiminating in the wild and very dangerous. but little guys in the zoo don’t look quite that scarey!
keep us up-dated on any new happenings! thanks.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
so cute!
Is there any update on Gram, the old rhino from that space, that was sent to another zoo/sanctuary to get a girlfriend and have baby rhinos?
October 10th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I love the questions, (GREAT questions), where do we find the answers?
October 11th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Lots of questions this time around. Let me try to answer some of them for you.
Indian rhinos in the wild live a solitary lifestyle but do spend a lot of time at watering holes and mud wallows with other rhinos. Both Soman and Surat grew up in a social situation out at the Wild Animal Park so they are more comfortable this way.
Nancy, to answer your questions…I believe they were in different field exhibits at the Park, and this is why they did not know each other prior to meeting at the Zoo. Baby rhinos usually stay with their mothers until the next calf comes along. Rhino gestation is about 15 months, so probably at a year and a half to two years mom will kick them out on their own so she can raise the next calf. How are they doing together, you ask? They couldn’t be better! Actually it is getting harder to train them because Soman will push Surat out of the way for attention. I now have to have a second keeper to ” hold” one of them while I train behaviors with the other.
Thank you all for your interest and questions. I can’t wait to write more about these boys.