Two new rhinos have recently joined the herd at Woburn Safari Park, while a beloved member prepares to depart. Granville, a five-year-old male, arrived at the Bedfordshire park on August 20th, followed later that day by Azeeza, a three-year-old female from Safari Zoo Cumbria.
As they settle in, the park is preparing to bid farewell to Bonnie, Granville’s aunt and a cherished member of the herd, who will be moving to West Midlands Safari Park. Keeper Zack Turner shared, “It’s always difficult to see any of our animals leave, especially Bonnie. She’s a fantastic rhino with a lot of character.”
“While it’s bittersweet to see Bonnie leave, the prospect of establishing a breeding group with the arrival of Granville is incredibly exciting for us,” Zack Turner noted.
To ensure Bonnie’s move is as smooth as possible, the keepers have been diligently preparing her for the transition. They’ve been using the crate as a tunnel between her enclosure and the sand yard to help her become accustomed to it in the weeks leading up to her departure.
Southern white rhinos are currently classified as “near threatened” due to poaching and habitat destruction, highlighting the importance of efforts like these to support their conservation.