Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Totally Random Tuesday



Yeah, so I am super busy today - and hubby has the day off so I am sure to be busy once I get home as well so the posting is gonna be next to nil, but I can supply you all with a totally random fact that I bet ya didn't know (because I sure didn't)!

When hubby and I went the Cincinnati Zoo a few weekends ago for our anniversary weekend getaway, we learned about the Sumatran rhinoceros. What is really cool is that the Cincinnati Zoo was able to bred this rare rhino in captivity successfully for the first time in 112 years! I was talking to one of the zoo employees (as you can see in my pic above) and she said it would have made the news because it was such a feat but it happened just days after September 11 and became overshadowed.

Here is some more great info from the zoo's website:

The Sumatran rhinoceros is one of the most endangered animals on earth with fewer than 270 individuals distributed throughout fragmented rainforests of South East Asia. A captive breeding program was formally established for this species in 1984, but efforts to propagate these rhinos in captivity failed. In 1997, CREW scientists initiated research using endocrinology and ultrasonography to learn about the reproductive physiology of the species. As a result, scientific breakthroughs led to the first Sumatran rhino calf bred and born in captivity in 112 years at the Cincinnati Zoo on Sept. 13, 2001.

Since the birth of that first calf, two additional calves have been produced. This series of successful births clearly demonstrates how productive a captive breeding program can be when it incorporates good science, veterinary care, animal husbandry and intensive management. The Cincinnati Zoo remains the only place in the world breeding this species successfully in captivity.

In addition to its leadership role in the Sumatran rhino captive breeding program, CREW partners with other conservation organizations (Rhino Global Partnerships) to protect Sumatran rhinos in the wild by helping to support Rhino Protection Units (RPUs). These RPUs are trained to protect the rhinos from poachers, the greatest threat to the species. Furthermore, financial support and staff expertise are provided to facilitate the captive breeding program on Sumatra. The goal of the program is to keep the rhinos safe in the wild and to establish a successful international captive breeding program for the Sumatran rhinoceros.



Now you know! ;)

1 comment:

Matt's Miscellany said...

While I wouldn't rank the Cincy Zoo as one of the best zoos that I've been too, the zoo attendant was very nice and informative and really made the zoo a great experience. She really made me feel (and I imagine you would agree) that we were welcome at the zoo anytime.