Paignton Zoo in Devon is celebrating the arrival of two southern white rhinos, Khulu and Benja, marking the first time in decades that the species has resided at the popular attraction. The half-brothers made the journey from Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, arriving on 5th June, and are now settling into their new, specially renovated rhino house.
Khulu, who is 20 months old, was born to parents Fahari and Sizzle, while his two-year-old half-brother Benja was born to Jaseera and Sizzle. Lisa Britton, the head of living collections at Paignton Zoo, expressed immense excitement about the return of the species, noting that the pair spent their initial 48 hours exploring their indoor accommodation. They have since been reunited, with keepers observing a lot of playful interaction, indicating they are comfortable with each other and their new environment.
The southern white rhino is currently classified as 'near threatened' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Despite this, the species is widely celebrated as one of conservation's most significant triumphs. In the late 1800s, it was believed fewer than 100 individuals remained in the wild, almost pushing them to extinction. However, dedicated conservation efforts have successfully boosted their population to over 15,000 animals.
These magnificent creatures are native to the grasslands and savannahs of southern Africa and are recognised as the largest living rhinoceros species. Adult males can reach an impressive weight of up to 2.3 tonnes and measure up to 4 metres in length. Khulu and Benja, currently between 30% and 50% of the size of a fully grown male, will continue to grow until they reach full maturity around the age of 10.
The arrival of Khulu and Benja is a key component of the zoo's new grasslands habitat loop, offering visitors a unique opportunity to observe these impressive animals up close and learn about their conservation story. The zoo hopes their presence will help raise awareness about the challenges still facing rhino populations globally, despite past successes.