MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County Zoo has welcomed a new resident who could play a crucial role in conservation efforts for one of the world’s most endangered species.
READ ALSO: Milwaukee County Zoo welcomes new eastern black rhino in renovated habitat
Zuri, a 15-year-old female eastern black rhinoceros, recently arrived from the Cincinnati Zoo and now calls Milwaukee home. Zoo officials hope she will eventually become a mother to future calves, contributing to the species’ survival.
Watch: Eastern black rhino Zurri arrives at Milwaukee County Zoo
“Zuri is our new female eastern black rhino. She’s 15 years old, and she has come here from the Cincinnati Zoo, and we’re hoping that she will be a mother to some calves in the future,” said Joan Stasica, an area supervisor at the zoo.
The breeding process requires careful planning and patience. Zoo staff plan to introduce Zuri to the zoo’s male rhinoceros in the spring, but even if the pair gets along and successfully breeds, visitors shouldn’t expect to see babies anytime soon.
“We’re hoping to introduce the two rhinos in the springtime, and hopefully if they get along well and they do breed, we’re still looking at a gestation period of over one year,” Stasica said. “Rhinos are pregnant for 15 months. It’s quite a long time, but, you know, fingers crossed in the future we will have some rhino calves. We’re really hoping we do.”
Zuri’s arrival coincides with significant improvements at the Milwaukee County Zoo. The new rhino barn represents a major upgrade for the facility, and the penguin exhibit at the front of the zoo has also been renovated.
“This new barn is a huge improvement for our zoo. It’s really exciting, and we’ve also had some improvements up at the front at the new penguin exhibit,” Stasica said. “We have some other great indoor areas where you can see the animals. So, I mean, winter — a lot of people think the zoo is not open in the winter — but we’re still open, we’re still here, and we’re trying to add more indoor experiences so that people can visit year-round.”
The Milwaukee County Zoo operates 362 days a year, providing year-round opportunities for visitors to experience wildlife and conservation efforts.
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