Saying farewell to Andazi the rhino

Zoo Atlanta prepares to say farewell to Andazi the rhino; The mother of the first rhino calf ever born at the Zoo will soon begin a new chapter in Arkansas

Andazi, a 10-year-old female eastern black rhinoceros, will soon leave Atlanta for a new home at a new zoo, with a new chance to contribute to the zoological population of one of Earth’s most endangered mammal species. Andazi’s move is a recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Rhino Species Survival Plan® (SSP). She is scheduled to travel on March 30, 2017, to the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas.

“Andazi is very special to Zoo Atlanta and especially to her care team, but this opportunity is so important for her and for the zoological population of rhinos in North America,” said Hayley Murphy, DVM, Vice President of Animal Divisions. “This is a species facing extinction within our lifetimes and may someday only persist in zoos without targeted conservation efforts. We’re hopeful that Andazi will have an opportunity to be a mother again, and we look forward to keeping up with her new chapter in Little Rock.”

Eastern black rhinos are a critically endangered species. In the wild, black rhinos are found only on preserves, primarily in Kenya, as their populations have plummeted by as much as 90 percent over just three generations, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their most immediate threat is illegal hunting for their horns. Although rhino horns are made of keratin – the same material found in human hair and fingernails – a demand persists for their use in traditional medicines, and rhino horn has been valued as highly as gold on black markets.

The Rhino SSP is one of nearly 500 such programs currently in place for species in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. These programs exist to ensure that zoological populations remain healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining for future generations. Zoo Atlanta is an active contributor to more than 20 SSP programs.

Born July 15, 2006, at Zoo Miami, Andazi has lived at Zoo Atlanta since April 2010. She is the mother of the first rhino calf ever born at Zoo Atlanta, Jabari, born in 2013. Both Jabari and his father, Utenzi, now live at other AZA zoos. Eastern black rhinos are a solitary species, and calves are weaned from their mothers when they are around 2 years old.

Rhinos are expected to return to Zoo Atlanta with the opening of Grand New View, which will include an expanded rhino habitat in addition to an all-new African savanna for African elephants and other species. As part of the project, the historic Cyclorama building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art events destination which will feature sweeping views of both the savanna and a new Zoo entry plaza. Project completion is estimated for early 2019.

To learn more, or to make plans to see Andazi before her departure, visit zooatlanta.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
404.624.2812 – office
404.309.2238 – cell
rdavis@zooatlanta.org

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations & Communications Specialist
404.624.5980 – office
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
Viewed as one of the finest zoological institutions in the U.S. and a proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta has a mission to inspire value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family experiences. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Zoo highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, a set of twins born to Lun Lun on September 3, 2016; North America’s largest zoological population of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, featuring more than 70 species in a 111,000 square-foot complex, is the world’s first LEED Gold-certified reptile and amphibian exhibit. The Zoo’s newest experience, Treetop Trail presented by Kaiser Permanente, opened in March 2017. Up-close-and-personal animal experiences include behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters with African elephants, Aldabra giant tortoises, giant pandas and warthogs. Zoo Atlanta is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.

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