We are delighted to announce the arrival of a third black rhino to our Selous Reserve! She’s called Chanua, is four years old and has been transferred from Chester Zoo, where she was born in October 2012 to father Magadi and Mother Ema Elsa.

We opened our Selous Black Rhino Reserve in 2015 to aid efforts in the global breeding and conservation programme. And, we are the only animal collection in the UK to have both black and white rhinos which we are immensely proud of! Furthermore, both species are part of the European Endangered species Program (EEP) which aims to safeguard the future of species through co-operative breeding and this forms part of our ongoing commitment to the conservation of the black rhino.

“Welcoming Chanua was a real highlight of 2016 for us and we are especially proud to be able to play a significant part in the ongoing conservation of the black rhino species,” said Ross Snipp MSc our Zoo Manager. “She joins our other black rhinos Samira and Olmoti and in due course it is hoped that she will form part of a breeding programme at the zoo.”

The black rhino is critically endangered in the wild and most alarmingly its population numbers have declined by 90% since the 1960’s. Our team at Flamingo Land work closely with other wildlife partners in Europe, such as the team at Chester Zoo, to ensure the long term future of the species and that the genetic pool remains as varied as possible.

Development of the Selous Black Rhino Reserve involved background research by the Flamingo Land zoo team and features an extensive, naturally sympathetic, multi-terrain environment, a large centrally heated rhino house and a high-level public access platform, allowing visitors to enjoy great views both inside and out.

Chanua is now enjoying her new home in the Reserve and visitors can enjoy seeing her during our daily Winter Zoo (closed 25th/26th December). You can enjoy a Keeper Talk at the Reserve daily at 11.30am where you can discover a little more about them.

Opening days and times for Winter Zoo can be found here.