The ABQ BioPark Zoo has welcomed a new resident, Hodari, a three-year-old southern white rhinoceros. Hodari arrived from the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma, which is also accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He was born in November 2021 and is described as confident and playful by his previous care team.
“Hodari is settling in wonderfully to his new home, and we couldn’t be happier to have him here,” said Lynn Tupa, BioPark associate director.
Lisa Moore, a member of Hodari’s care team at the BioPark, commented on his transition: “He has a healthy amount of confidence exploring his new barn stalls and yard, and a lot of trust in his new care staff that I attribute to the care shown to him by his family back at Tulsa Zoo. Hodari is a growing young male and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him here at the BioPark!”
Hodari’s name is Swahili for brave or courageous. White rhinos are among the largest land animals, with adults weighing up to 6,000 pounds. Hodari currently weighs just under 3,000 pounds and will turn four in November. His relocation is part of the AZA Species Survival Plan, which aims to support populations of southern white rhinos, classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
At the BioPark, Hodari joins Bertha, a 40-year-old female southern white rhino. Both animals are housed in the Africa area of the Zoo. Bertha typically spends her time behind-the-scenes due to her age, so visitors are unlikely to see them together. However, staff report that they are getting along well in their shared space.
“They vocalized to each other his first night here, and that has been wonderful to hear,” said Moore.
Visitors to the BioPark Zoo can now see Hodari in the rhino habitat.
