Milwaukee County Zoo celebrates new rhino care center to protect endangered species
By Duke Carter
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MILWAUKEE (WISN) — The Milwaukee County Zoo has opened its new Rhino Care Center, a $22.6 million facility designed to protect endangered rhinos and provide visitors with interactive experiences.
The center is part of the Adventure Africa exhibit and spans approximately 100,000 square feet, with more than a third of the space dedicated to an outdoor area where the animals can graze.
“I never really saw the rhinoceros as much before this exhibit. I felt like they were not outside much. And so this is nice having an exhibit to come in, especially in the winter months,” Abby Sindelar, a visitor, said.
Zoo officials said the project was funded mostly by county funds, with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee making a major contribution.
“That was a $22.6 million project. Mostly county funds, but our nonprofit partner, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, contributed about $7.4 million,” Megan O’Shea, a zoo official, said.
“We have really great, interactive experiences. You can learn about other species of rhino at the Milwaukee County Zoo. We have eastern black rhinos. But you can learn about the other species that exist. You can learn their weight, their height. You can touch rhino horn,” O’Shea said.
Zoo officials emphasized the importance of the upgraded facility, which replaces a structure built in 1950, in aiding rhino conservation efforts.
“Rhinos are an endangered species. So they’re here on a species survival plan. Ultimately, Zari and Kierkegaard together to be a potential breeding mate in the future. So we hope for rhino babies eventually,” O’Shea said.
The exhibit offers visitors of all ages the opportunity to connect with and learn about these endangered animals while supporting their survival.
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