Black rhino

The Eastern Black Rhinoceros is Critically Endangered and only 500 individuals are thought to remain in the wild. Chester Zoo is instrumental in the conservation of this species.

Our rhinos are part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP), which is run by Chester Zoo. Through our Black Rhino Conservation Programme , we also play an active role in protecting these animals in the wild and in supporting a range of education and community initiatives. Our Eastern Black Rhinos are housed in the world-class Tsavo exhibit. They don’t all live together; we keep them either in small groups of social females; a mother and calf; or in breeding pairs.

Our two youngest rhinos, Asani and Bashira, were born here at the Zoo within a year of each other. Asani is a boisterous young calf! His mum, Kitani, is a gentle giant who has been a superb mother from the word go. Sammy is Asani’s father. Sammy came to us from Japan and is therefore an important addition to the EEP from a conservation breeding and genetics perspective. We are currently keeping Sammy and Kitani together as a breeding pair in the hope that they will have another calf in the future. Young Bashira seems to take after her mother Ema Elsa. They are both very sweet natured rhinos, who get on well with all their Keepers!, Bashira’s father Magadi on the other hand, can be a little highly-strung, although he is probably our most handsome rhino!

Adopt me!

Well what are you waiting for?