Black Rhinos settle in at Flamingo Land Resort

Two black rhinos are settling in to their new home at Flamingo Land Resort. They have come from Zurich. The mother is called Samira and the baby, who was born last December, is named Olmoti. They will be the first inhabitants of the new Selous Black Rhino Reserve. Moving a mother and baby calf together is a rare event and they have moved to our region as part of an international breeding programme.

The black rhino is one of the 5 species of rhino, and despite its name is usually grey or brown. It can be distinguished from its counterpart, the white rhino, by possessing a hooked lip as opposed to a wide square lip and the black rhino is also smaller. Flamingo Land is the only full member of EAZA exhibiting both white and black rhinos, and there is only one other zoo in Europe (in the Czech Republic) keeping both species.

FACT FILE: THE BLACK RHINO

• Adult black rhinos can reach 1.4-1.8 m in height

• They can reach 3-3.75m in length

• On average they weigh around 1-1.5 tonnes

• They are capable of running speeds at around 30-35 mph

• The rhinos' horn is an important tool used for digging up roots and branches along with defence

• It continues to grow as it is made of a protein called keratin, so the rhino files it by rubbing it against hard surfaces