Rhino gets temporary digs at zoo
BY BRADLEY "B.J." DAVIS, JR. Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

B.J. Davis/Gulf Breeze News "Limpopo," a 9-year-old Black Rhino will be housed at The Zoo Northwest Florida for around 90 days until his Kansas-based facility is built.

How do you relocate a 5,000 lb. Black Rhino? Staff at The Zoo Northwest Florida had all hands on-deck to do just that.

In the morning hours of Tuesday, Feb. 13, Limpopo, a 9-year-old Black Rhino arrived on the back of a flatbed truck after an all-night voyage from a Tampa-area sanctuary. Limpopo is on loan to the zoo awaiting the construction of his new housing facility at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kan.

"Today, all five of the world's species of rhinos are endangered," said Natalie Akin, Director of Visitor Services and Business Operations. "Their decline is truly astounding. In the decade of the 1970s alone, half the world's rhino popula- tion disappeared. Today, less than 15 percent of the 1970 population remains an estimated 10,000 to 11,000 worldwide." Akin further explained that only close to 2,500 Black Rhinos exist worldwide.

Limpopo will be on display for approximately three months in a portion of the Bactrian camels exhibit. The camels have been moved to an adjacent exhibit to make room until the rhino's housing is completed. For the rest of February, all zoo admissions will be $2 off.