On Your Mark, Get Set, Zoo

The new inhabitants of the Rhino Savanna are arriving from our partners around the country.

twelve new species will call the living desert home. but first, how do they get here?

Opening a new habitat brings a logistic puzzle - how do you transport and care for the new inhabitants before their new home is ready? Zoos work cooperatively together to ensure each species has a healthy and genetically diverse population. And, to accomplish that goal, animals often make big moves. Moving animals from one zoo to another requires thorough planning, intricate coordination with the other zoos, and can sometimes take up to a year of preparation!

To ensure a safe and healthy move, animals are often trained to voluntarily settle into a crate for their journey. In addition, each species has specific enclosure requirements that allow them to be most comfortable while traveling.

Some animals will fly commercial in the cargo bay of a major airline, with little to no layovers along the way, while others travel via temperature-regulated cargo van. Some larger animals will travel along the roadways in specially built trailers.