Animal Wellbeing on the Savanna

After opening nearly two years ago, the nine species within this innovative habitat have shown that they are comfortable and thriving in their new home.

By RoxAnna Breitigan, Chief Operating Officer

Rhino Savanna residents have now lived in their sprawling, four-acre home for almost two years. The animals have shown us that the innovative design details put into this space have made them feel comfortable, and all the dynamic experiences provided have created an engaging home. This multispecies habitat — with black rhino being the signature species — was a unique endeavor, showing us how the many species living together in this space can all get along and thrive. The Living Desert team shaped a fully immersive experience in Rhino Savanna by creating a community where a variety of animal and plant species would be able to show a snippet of what life might look like on an African savanna. We are proud to say that our habitat multi-species management is working as planned with very few adjustments needing to be made since opening.

Pink-backed pelican and great white pelican both reside in Rhino Savanna.

No Two Days Alike

The enriching experiences that were designed to provide the animals with different choices and opportunities throughout their day have proven to be effective and successful. No two days are alike for the animals on Rhino Savanna, which keeps the day interesting for the animals, keepers, and guests. For example, feeding devices, like the hay feeders that are programmed with different times to drop hay, are used all around the habitat. This encourages the rhinos and antelope to traverse the habitats in search of food, mimicking that natural behavior. These types of experiences are an important part of creating an optimal level of wellbeing for the animals who live at the Zoo. By providing options and choices, the animals can utilize their cognitive skills in new ways every day.

Nia, the female black rhino, takes a dip in the watering hole on a summer day.

Births On The Savanna

It has also been exciting to see some of the animals comfortable enough to breed in their new home. The arrival of two male springbok calves was significant as the first springbok born at the Zoo and the first births on Rhino Savanna. The Living Desert team awaited the births, watching the dams’ (mothers') bellies grow and then were thrilled to witness the births happen on habitat. This incredible life moment is rarely witnessed and gave the team a personal story to share with guests. The animal care team prepared the habitat for the new arrivals by lowering the ponds to just a few feet deep while the calves learned their way around their home. This prevents young calves from a potentially fatal accident but also can mimic the dry season in which the precious water sources get more difficult to find, encouraging the animals to look elsewhere as they would in the wild.

Bacardi, the springbok, and her male calf, shown just moments after birth on June 6. A second springbok calf was born to mom, Paloma, on June 14. These exciting births were the first to happen on Rhino Savanna!

The Life Underground habitats have also proven to be comfortable for the animals with the first births in this space, the arrival of two dwarf mongoose pups. From the first day of birth the young mongoose have been visible, and within weeks of life have already ventured outside — allowing The Living Desert team and guests to observe their growth. This was a welcome surprise behavior as the team assumed the mongoose adults would move the babies underground and out of sight. However, it was apparent that the mongoose felt comfortable in the homes created for them and kept their young where the animal care team could keep a close eye on them. The two little ones are now thriving and learning the ropes from the adults in the group.

Playful dwarf mongoose pups have been visible in their Life Underground habitat since birth.

Two Years Later

When Jared Moeller, Animal Care Curator of Rhino Savanna, was asked about animal wellbeing on the habitat almost two years after its opening, his beaming smile says it all. “I am so very proud of the home we have created for all the animals in this area. To have the opportunity to try something new and be successful makes me really proud. When I stand and watch the waterbuck saunter by one of the rhinos or watch the springbok pronk by the pelicans, it really does seem like we have created a slice of Africa here.” It has been exciting to watch the animals settle in and continue to explore their home every day.