Nobody likes moving. You have to pack up all of your stuff; find boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap; maybe even find a moving truck or movers! It’s the one downside to finding a new job, growing your family, or relocating to a new city. As difficult as that could be, can you imagine moving a rhino from Texas to Michigan? A few weeks ago we had a chance to chat with Sarah Foote, General Curator at the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan. We learned from Sarah how much hard work goes in to something as great as seeing a pregnant rhino at the zoo.
Our Visit
It was sizzling 95 degree day as we strolled the grounds of the Potter Park Zoo. The heat was enough to cause perspiration in seconds. However, our daughters giving up on walking and wanting a free ride didn’t help. Sarah walked across the zoo grounds with us. As we walked, she was greeted by many of the animals of the zoo along the way.
Toward the back of the zoo we made our way to the rhino exhibit. Outside, laying down in the shade was Phineas, the zoo’s 11-year-old male rhino. Even on the ground his large frame was apparent. But Phineas wasn’t the star attraction we were looking for. Around the corner and through the building we found the zoo’s 12-year-old pregnant female black rhino Doppsee.
Meeting the Pregnant Rhino Doppsee
Sarah admitted that Doppsee is one of the kindest, sweetest rhinos she’s ever come across. As we stood there for a few minutes, she came up close to the gates, not at all opposed to getting attention. Sarah noted that Doppsee is a preferred stop for guests on visiting field trips because of how calm she is around visitors, especially younger ones. We can attest to her sweetness!
For more on Doppsee’s pregnancy, check out the Potter Park Zoo’s blog.
It’s easy to tell Doppsee apart from Phineas – mainly because they’re in separate enclosures. But beyond that, Doppsee’s front horn is much larger. According to Sarah, most rhinos will rub their horns on trees or other objects, but Doppsee “for whatever reason, does not rub her front horn”.
Doppsee is currently a little over half-way through her pregnancy, with delivery expected in late December/early January. The birth is exciting not only for the zoo and surrounding community, but for the species as well. Black rhino births are rare in captivity, with an estimated amount of less than five per year. While it can be difficult to track a rhino pregnancy, Sarah says Doppsee’s calm demeanor is a major factor in her care. The team is able to keep her busy with alfalfa cubes while the animal care team gives her a checkup. The important part is that if Doppsee is not interested in participating, they stop the process and try again a different day.
Transporting a Rhino
But none of the excitement of a rhino birth would have been possible if it hadn’t been for one of Sarah’s first jobs in her new role. After being approved by the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and the SSP (Species Survival Program), to zoo received approval to bring in Phineas from the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas, to see if he was a match to breed with female rhino Doppsee. As you might expect, transporting an animal of that size across the country was no easy task!
According to Sarah, the whole process took about six months, including a lot of waiting! Once the SSP recommends an animal be moved for breeding purposes, the zoos connect to discuss the best arrangement. After that, there is a lot of paperwork to get through, including medical history, dietary needs, and other details in the animal’s history. Animals are typically transported in the Fall or Spring according to Sarah. However, she admits that bringing an animal from a southern climate to a northern climate can add some challenges to that. The team needed to wait for the frost laws to lift to ensure safe travel. Once they had the go ahead, Phineas was transported in April of 2017.
The ride itself from Texas to Michigan took about 24 hours. That included stops for the drivers to rest and check on Phineas, while also allowing time to offer him food and water. The culmination of the six-month process was the use of a large crane to finally transport Phineas into the zoo. While the finished product was a male rhino to potentially grow the species, it was the result of a lot of coordination behind the scenes from multiple doctors, transportation workers, and animal care staff like Sarah. Think about that the next time you call up a friend to help lift a couch!
He Made It!
Once Phineas arrived, the breeding process began – again, not so simple. Breeding took nearly 12 months. The team started to slowly see signs of Doppsee being pregnant. Once confirmed, the team used training techniques mentioned above to monitor her during the pregnancy.
So we wait. Sarah’s optimistic the team might receive an early Christmas present this year in the form of a baby rhino. If not, 2020 is the zoo’s centennial celebration, and Doppsee and her calf would be the perfect centerpiece! The entire effort and the hope of a baby rhino is proof that sometimes, good things come in…really big packages!
For more on this zoo, check out our Potter Park Zoo page.
**Special thanks to Sarah Foote and Erin O’Rourke at the Potter Park Zoo for making this visit happen!
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