Two Heavyweights Join the Zoo de Granby
Their arrival at the Zoo de Granby had been planned for over a year,
but it was only recently that female white rhinos Alice and Hazina finally embarked on their journey from San Diego, an epic trip that brought them to their new home. It was with palpable excitement that we welcomed them on April 17, watching them step into their new quarters for the very first time. They join male rhino K.C., who, extremely curious, will gradually be introduced to his new companions.
The arrival of these two magnificent animals is no coincidence: the goal is to contribute to the conservation efforts of the species through the breeding program. Rhinos are endangered due to the illegal trafficking of their keratin horns, which are used notably in traditional Asian medicine. Now more than ever, it is crucial to rally efforts to make the survival of this iconic animal a priority! At the Zoo de Granby, Alice and Hazina will become key players in our efforts toward this goal.
A Carefully Planned 5,000 km Transfer
Transferring rhinos from one institution to another is no easy task! It is a meticulously orchestrated operation entrusted to experts. You can’t move two-ton animals like cats or dogs: extra precautions must be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of both the animals and the people involved.
Moving protected animals from one country to another requires numerous permits: everything must be in order before even considering a departure date. The transport itself is handled by a company specialized in moving animals. In this case, a land transfer was preferred to cover the exact 4,882 km that separated San Diego from the Zoo de Granby. Four drivers took turns behind the wheel of the 53-foot truck to ensure continuous travel, making only a few strategic stops for fuel and to check on the animals’ well-being. The two girls made the journey each in their own container, where food and water were available at all times. They left San Diego on Tuesday, April 15, at noon (Granby time), and arrived safely without a hitch on Thursday evening at 7 p.m.!
Watch the video to learn more about their arrival at Zoo de Granby! (In french)
Two Heavyweights Join the Zoo de Granby
A Gentle Acclimatization
With their journey now behind them, Alice and Hazina are spending their time exploring their new environment. To help ensure a smooth transition between the two institutions, a keeper from the San Diego Zoo traveled with them and spent a few days working alongside the animal care technicians at the Zoo to make sure everything went well and to share her knowledge about the two individuals. Each rhino has her own personality and unique characteristics, and all these little details were generously shared with our staff.
In addition to K.C., the male rhino, the two newcomers will eventually share their space with red river hogs and blue wildebeests. Introductions will be made gradually, at the appropriate time, to allow Alice and Hazina to become familiar with their new roommates and ensure the introductions are as stress-free as possible. After all, you never get a second chance to make a first impression!
Baby Rhinos Coming to the Zoo?
The arrival of Alice and Hazina is directly tied to the Zoo de Granby’s commitment to act even more decisively in protecting endangered wildlife and their habitats. The goal is to actively participate in the breeding program for this species and to contribute directly to maintaining a healthy zoo-based population. However, just like their transfer, the breeding of our rhinos will be meticulously planned over time for optimal management of each individual. In any case, we’ll need to be patient, as the gestation period for a white rhino is about 16 months… giving us plenty of time to build excitement when the time comes!
