EAZA Best Practice Guidelines For The White Rhinoceros
2018EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for the whiteEAZA rhinocerosBest Practice Guidelines for thewhite rhinoceros(Ceratotherium Simum)First Edition, July 2018 Lars Versteege1
EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for thewhite rhinoceros(Ceratotherium simum)Editor: Lars VersteegeContact information: Safaripark Beekse Bergen,Beekse Bergen 31, 5081 NJ Hilvarenbeek, The NetherlandsEmail: l.versteege@beeksebergen.nlName of TAG: Rhino TAGTAG Chair: Friederike von Houwald (Zoo Basel, Switzerland)Edition: 1July 20182
EAZA Best Practice Guidelines DisclaimerCopyright (March 2018) by EAZA Executive Office, Amsterdam. All rights reserved. No part of thispublication may be reproduced in hard copy, machine-readable or other forms without advancewritten permission from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Members of the EAZAmay copy this information for their own use as needed. The information contained in these EAZABest Practice Guidelines has been obtained from numerous sources believed to be reliable. EAZA andthe EAZA Felid TAG make a diligent effort to provide a complete and accurate representation of thedata in its reports, publications and services. However, EAZA does not guarantee the accuracy,adequacy or completeness of any information. EAZA disclaims all liability for errors or omissions thatmay exist and shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential or other damages (whetherresulting from negligence or otherwise) including, without limitation, exemplary damages or lostprofits arising out of or in connection with the use of this publication. Because the technicalinformation provided in the EAZA Best Practice Guidelines can easily be misread or misinterpretedunless properly analyzed, EAZA strongly recommends that users of this information consult with theeditors in all matters related to data analysis and interpretation.3
PreambleRight from the very beginning it has been the concern of EAZA and the EEPs to encourage andpromote the highest possible standards for husbandry of zoo and aquarium animals. For this reason,quite early on, EAZA developed the “Minimum Standards for the Accommodation and Care ofAnimals in Zoos and Aquaria”. These standards lay down general principles of animal keeping, towhich the members of EAZA feel themselves committed. Above and beyond this, some countrieshave defined regulatory minimum standards for the keeping of individual species regarding the sizeand furnishings of enclosures etc., which, according to the opinion of authors, should definitely befulfilled before allowing such animals to be kept within the area of the jurisdiction of those countries.These minimum standards are intended to determine the borderline of acceptable animal welfare. Itis not permitted to fall short of these standards. How difficult it is to determine the standards,however, can be seen in the fact that minimum standards vary from country to country. Above andbeyond this, specialists of the EEPs and TAGs have undertaken the considerable task of laying downguidelines for keeping individual animal species. Whilst some aspects of husbandry reported in theguidelines will define minimum standards, in general, these guidelines are not to be understood asminimum requirements; they represent best practice. As such the EAZA Best Practice Guidelines forkeeping animals intend rather to describe the desirable design of enclosures and prerequisites foranimal keeping that are, according to the present state of knowledge, considered as being optimalfor each species. They intend above all to indicate how enclosures should be designed and whatconditions should be fulfilled for the optimal care of individual species.CitationThis publication should be cited as follows:EAZA White rhino EEP Best Practice Guidelines; L. Versteege; Safaripark Beekse Bergen; July 2018SummaryThe best practice guidelines, designed as reference manual for any professional working with whiterhino are divided into two sections. Section one describes the natural biology of the white rhinowhereas section two describes the best practice husbandry in captive settings. Chapters includeenclosure design, nutrition, social structure, breeding, handling and veterinary care.4
ContentsEAZA Best Practice Guidelines Disclaimer . 3Preamble . 4Citation . 4Summary . 4List of figures . 8List of tables . 91. Introduction . 10Section 1 - Biology and field data . 111.1 Biology . 111.1.1 Taxonomy . 111.1.2 Morphology . 111.1.3 Physiology . 121.1.4 Longevity . 121.2 Field data . 131.2.1 Geography and Ecology . 131.2.2 Diet and feeding behaviour . 151.2.3 Reproduction . 151.2.4 Behaviour . 16Section 2 - Management in zoos . 172.1 Enclosure . 172.1.1 Dimensions . 172.1.2 Boundary . 172.1.3 Drive-through enclosure . 222.1.4 Substrate . 222.1.5 Furnishings and maintenance . 232.1.6 Environment . 252.2 Feeding . 262.2.1 Basic diet . 262.2.2 Special dietary requirements . 282.2.3 Method of feeding. 292.2.4 Water requirements . 292.3 Social structure . 305
2.3.1 Basic social structure . 302.3.2 Changing group structures . 302.3.3 Sharing enclosure with other species. 322.4 Breeding . 332.4.1 Mating . 332.4.2 Pregnancy . 332.4.3 Contraception . 342.4.4 Birth . 342.4.5 Development and care of young . 352.4.6 Hand-rearing. 362.4.7 Population management . 362.5 Behavioural enrichment . 372.5.1 Rhino behaviour . 372.5.2 Types of enrichment . 382.5.3 Implementation . 402.6 Handling. 412.6.1 Individual identification and sexing . 412.6.2 General handling . 412.6.3 Catching/restraining . 412.6.4 Transport . 422.6.5 Safety . 442.7 Veterinary . 452.7.1 EAZA Bio Bank. 452.7.2 Foot problems . 452.7.3 Skin problems . 462.7.4 Parasites . 462.7.5 Bacterial infections . 472.7.6 Viral diseases . 482.7.7 Reproductive disorders . 482.7.8 Mortality . 492.7.9 Diet . 492.7.10 Anaesthetics . 492.8 Specific problems . 512.9 Recommended research . 516
3. Discussion . 524. References . 534.1 Books . 534.2 Journals. 544.3 Electronic sources. 574.4 Unpublished Works . 584.5 Pictures . 59Appendix I: EAZA standards . 611.Animal care – Welfare, health and hygiene . 622.Animal Care – Veterinary Aspects . 663. Population Management. 683.Safety and Security . 695. Miscellaneous . 72Appendix II: Rhinos and training . 74Appendix III: EAZA Bio Bank Sampling protocol . 797
List of figuresFigure 1. Illustration of the skeleton of a rhino. 12Figure 2. An alarmed rhino looks up . 12Figure 3. Distribution of the two sub species of white rhinoceros, C.s. cottoni and C.s. simum* . 13Figure 4. Examples of primary fencing . 18Figure 5. Abrasion on the second horn . 18Figure 6. Example of a dry moat. 20Figures 7 and 8. Removable calf fence . 21Figure 9. Strong steel door hinges . 21Figure 10. Crush or restraining area . 21Figure 13. Combination of “hard” and “biofloor” stable . 22Figure 11 and12. Complete “biofloor” stable . 22Figure 14. Two white rhinos “bathing” in a Mud wallow . 24Figure 15 and 16. Scratching poles as “barrier” . 24Figure 17. White rhinos grazing in Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa . 26Figure 18. Domestic horse (Equus caballus) digestive tract . 26Figure 19. Rhino, ostrich and zebra in mixed exhibit . 32Figure 20. IZW scientist Dr. Robert Hermes confirming pregnancy by carrying out a sonography . 33Figure 21. A southern white rhinoceros gives birth to her calf conceived from AI in Budapest . 35Figure 22. Keeper bottle-feeds white rhino calf. 35Figure 23. A white rhino at Marwell Wildlife Park, UK, is inspecting a blackcurrant ice lolly . 38Figure 24. A white rhino in the Phoenix Zoo investigates the scented bowling balls . 39Figure 25. Rhino walking into crate . 43Figure 26. IATA crate . 43Figure 27. Keepers are inspecting a Southern white rhino . 458
List of tablesTable 1. Measurements of the white rhinoceros . 12Table 2. The typical dental formula for white rhinos . 12Table 3. Physiologic parameter of the white rhino . 12Table 4. Estimated white rhino numbers in wild- / national parks in December 2015 by country . 13Table 5. Reported African rhino poaching mortalities 2006-2015 . 14Table 6. Reproduction facts for the white rhino . 15Table 7. The advantages and disadvantages of commonly used barriers in zoo enclosures . 19Table 8. Possibilities for food items and quantities per adult white rhino per day . 27Table 9. Mineral req
2 EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) Editor: Lars Versteege Contact information: Safaripark Beekse Bergen, Beekse Bergen 31, 5081 NJ Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) may copy this information for their own use as needed. The information contained in these EAZA Best Practice Guidelines has been obtained from numerous sources believed to be reliable. EAZA and the EAZA Toucan & Turaco TAG make a
Members of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) may copy this information for their own use as needed. The information contained in these EAZA Best Practice Guidelines has been obtained from numerous sources believed to be reliable. EAZA and the EAZA [TAG name] TAG make a diligent effort to provide a complete and
EAZA Elephant Best Practice Guidelines 2020 2 publication. Because the technical information provided in the EAZA Best Practice Guidelines can easily be misread or misinterpreted unless properly analyzed, EAZA strongly recommends that users of this information consult with the editors in all matters related to data analysis and interpretation.
The information contained in these EAZA Best Practice Guidelines has been obtained from numerous sources believed to be reliable. EAZA and the EAZA Monotreme and Marsupial TAG make a diligent effort to provide a complete and accurate representation of the data in its reports, publications, and services.
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EAZA Hornbill TAG is planning to produce a revision of the guidelines in 2004. We hope that users will send data, comments, suggestions and corrections on this first/draft version to the EAZA Hornbill TAG chair Koen Brouwer for incorporation into the revision. That version will hopefully be available via internet.
(Griede, 2010) One of the tasks of an EEP co-ordinator is to produce husbandry guidelines (EAZA, 2009c). The EEP co-ordinator for the white rhino is Lars Versteege (curator of Safari Park Beekse Bergen). EAZA is developing husbandry guidelines for every species kept in member zoos. In these guidelines information is given on the best practice.
