If you have been thinking about heading to the Oregon Zoo, there's a new resident that may encourage you to visit soon. The newly welcomed 3000 black rhinoceros is 8 years old, and arrived in Oregon Sept 10. Known as King, the impressive rhino is fitting in greatly at the zoo's new Rhino Ridge. King belongs to the subspecies of black rhinoceros, which is considered critically endangered.
“If he’s outside, he’ll be hard to miss,” said Kelly Gomez, who oversees the zoo’s rhino area. “So far, he’s settling in really well, with a lot of attention and encouragement from his care staff.”
The Oregon Zoo made the announcement in a news release on Oct. 1. According to Oregon Zoo's website, King was originally born in Chicago at the Lincoln Park Zoo back in 2013, and his transfer to Portland was suggested by the Species Survival Plan for black rhinos. This is said to be a cooperative program among accredited zoos to promote genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations of threatened and endangered species. Sometime later this fall, King will be accompanied by a female rhinoceros at Rhino Ridge.
Learn more about his royal highness: https://t.co/Op99tm6LBZ pic.twitter.com/Ac50gJ2hzQ
— Oregoth Boo (@OregonZoo) October 1, 2021
via Oregonzoo.org:
Rhino Ridge is one of eight major projects made possible by the community-supported zoo bond measure passed in 2008, and was financed entirely through a $1.2 million investment by donors to the Oregon Zoo Foundation’s $8.5 million Heart of the Oregon Zoo campaign. Members, donors and corporate and foundation partners help the zoo make a difference across the region and around the world. To contribute, go to oregonzoo.org/donate.
If you're planning to drop by, the zoo is open 7 days a week. Monday through Friday the zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open until 5:30 p.m. on weekends. To plan your trip, go to oregonzoo.org/visit. For more information on getting to the zoo, visit Explore Washington Park. Also worth a read if you're interested in learning more about the black rhinoceros, is this info page on the zoo's website.
Address: 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR
