PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – Less than 30,000 rhinoceroses are living in the wild today, their numbers decimated by poachers hunting for their horns.
However, dedicated rhino keepers at Lion Country Safari recently returned from South Africa, where they collaborated with key organizations to help save this endangered species.
The morning begins with the soft sound of sliding doors at Lion Country Safari, where the staff prepares breakfast for the resident white rhinos.
Lead rhino keeper Daniel Soler said, “Blossom is about 10 years old and she’s the mother of Ruby,” as he began his normal morning routine.
Soler carefully administers their daily vitamins, ensuring the herd of 14 remains healthy.
“We draw blood from their ear right here, so we condition all of our rhinos for blood draws and vaccinations,” he explained while demonstrating the procedure. “Usually, the vaccinations would be here or maybe back here.”
The breeding program at Lion Country Safari is vital for the species’ survival, and the keepers work closely with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to preserve the genetic diversity of these threatened animals.
Soler’s recent two-week trip to South Africa underscores the urgency of their mission.
“We actually didn’t see many rhinos in the Kruger area, again because the numbers are down,” he said. “We saw one female and calf there, but it was for a second!”
He emphasizes the dire situation, stating, “Their horns are just made out of keratin, so it’s the same thing that your hair and your fingernails are made out of. I like to compare it to a big toenail on their face, and people are buying it and eating it. It serves no medicinal purpose. It’s a tragedy that these guys are being killed for something like that.”
The emotional connection between the keepers and the rhinos is palpable.
“They are very social, they’re very tactile, they’re very lovey-dovey with each other, except when they’re arguing like siblings argue!” Soler said.
Visitors can help by donating to organizations working to save these animals from extinction!
When you visit Lion Country Safari, part of your ticket price goes directly to wildlife conservation and the perpetuation of the rhino species. Click here for more information or here on how you can donate to the Rhino Orphanage.