RHINO RESEARCH

The Living Desert is participating in an ongoing, nationwide study to holistically examine rhinoceros well-being and care.

By Jared Moeller, Animal Care Curator

Nia and Jaali, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ two critically endangered black rhinos — along with their caregivers — are participating in an exciting effort to increase our collective understanding of rhinoceros. The American Institute of Rhinoceros Science (AIRS) is a coalition of rhino experts across North America, many of whom are affiliated with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions. This collaborative team of researchers is seeking to understand how different environments might play a role in rhino health and well-being under human care. The project primarily focuses on black rhinos like Nia and Jaali, as well as white rhinoceros, the other African rhino species. This three-year collaboration includes a total of 63 institutions and over 190 black and white rhinos.

The AIRS project is split into four pillars of research: physical fitness, reproduction, well-being, and iron storage. Because much of the information will overlap and many tests apply to all four pillars, the goal is to examine rhino care on a holistic level. The research team is in the process of collecting two behavioral and husbandry related surveys aimed at providing a detailed look at how we care for our rhinos at The Living Desert. The AIRS study will also examine blood samples to determine rhino baseline values such as mineral and vitamin levels. Perhaps one of the most exciting tests in which Nia and Jaali are participating is activity monitoring. They have been trained to wear a bracelet that acts similarly to a Fitbit fitness tracker. This data will tell us how active the rhinos are throughout a 24-hour period. The device is even able to determine if a rhino is running or walking and what areas of their habitats they use most.

A fitted anklet device monitors the rhinos' activity levels over a 24-hour period.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

The most elaborate assessment will come from the physical fitness pillar. This aspect of the study examines how to evaluate the physical fitness of a rhino and how their fitness levels and overall health may vary across a variety of management systems. One means of determining fitness is to accurately measure body fat. But how do we do that with a rhino? AIRS is using several different techniques to examine how useful each method — such as physical body measurement, electrodes signals, and body condition — scores.

Precise amounts of deuterated water is given to the rhinos at designated times as a way to measure body fat through blood samples.

WELL-BEING

With the goal of continuing to improve the well-being of rhinos and other animals in human care, the well-being pillar is aimed to answer critical questions addressing behavioral and environmental factors. What is the activity level of the animals throughout a 24-hour period and how does this equate to their well-being? What do rhinos do with novel objects and how do they react or not react with those objects? To help answer questions like these, AIRS is performing behavioral observations of rhinos. This ranges from simply observing rhinos like Nia and Jaali as they go about their normal day, to setting up cameras for nighttime observations.

With the goal of providing continued well-being for the rhino in human care, the study is aimed to answer critical questions addressing behavioral and environmental factors. While AIRS focuses only on rhinoceros, the techniques being verified and examined in the study have the potential to be used for well-being improvement on other species, ranging from small animals to elephants, depending on the test.

Physical examinations and measurements are part of overall rhino care and also serve as training for voluntary participation.

REPRODUCTION

Understanding rhino reproductive cycles is a vital aspect of managing the sustainability of rhino populations in human care. The first step is investigating the hormone cycling status of the female rhino population, allowing comparison across different management strategies. To do this, AIRS examines blood and fecal samples to establish hormone profiles over time, these are valuable for tracking reproductive health and estrus in preparation for breeding introductions.

IRON STORAGE

The last pillar of the study is looking at ways to diagnose excessive storage of iron in rhino body tissues.

Though it is not a fully understood phenomena, black rhinos over-accumulate iron in their tissues, which can lead to health problems such as Iron Overload Disorder (IOD). This cumulative disorder affects the liver and can potentially cause issues such as immune disorders and stress intolerance, among other things. IOD is difficult to diagnose while a rhino is alive, so AIRS is examining non-invasive methods of diagnosis.

As part of this assessment study, Nia and Jaali’s animal care team has been diligently training the rhinos to voluntarily participate in this study. One of the highest priorities of the AIRS team is voluntary participation which lets the rhinos take part in their care, such as allowing blood draws to be taken, much like people at the doctor. Nia and Jaali have both already participated in the first of two on-site visits from AIRS scientific biologists. Both rhinos fully participated in the onsite testing and the process went very smoothly. This innovative study is very exciting and a great opportunity for The Living Desert to collaborate with colleagues around the country to better understand rhinoceros biology and care.

Physical examinations and measurements are part of overall rhino care and also serve as training for voluntary participation.

The AIRS study was made possible by a grant from