Big Adventure Begins: ABQ BioPark Welcomes New Juvenile Rhino!
The BioPark’s newest resident brings youthful energy to the rhino habitat.
The ABQ BioPark is thrilled to introduce Hodari—a three-year-old southern white rhinoceros who now calls the BioPark Zoo home!
“Hodari is settling in wonderfully to his new home, and we couldn’t be happier to have him here,” said Lynn Tupa, BioPark associate director.
Hodari recently made his way to Albuquerque from Oklahoma’s Tulsa Zoo, another AZA-accredited institution, where he was born in November 2021. He is described by his care team there as being confident and playful.
“He has a healthy amount of confidence exploring his new barn stalls and yard, and a lot of trust in his new care staff that I attribute to the care shown to him by his family back at Tulsa Zoo,” said Lisa Moore, a member of his BioPark care team. “Hodari is a growing young male and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him here at the BioPark!”
Hodari (pronounced Ha-Dar-ee) is a Swahili name meaning brave or courageous.
White rhinos are one of the largest land-dwelling animals in the world. Adults may reach weights of up to 6,000 pounds! Hodari’s move to the BioPark is part of the AZA Species Survival Plan for southern white rhinos, which are listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Hodari, who will turn four in November, currently weighs in at just under 3,000 pounds.
Hodari joins the BioPark’s 40-year-old female southern white rhino, Bertha, in the Africa area of the Zoo where he can now be seen by guests in the rhino habitat.
Being an elderly animal, Bertha prefers to spend most of her time behind-the-scenes, so it’s unlikely the two will be seen out and about together. Nevertheless, care staff say the two are getting along well behind-the-scenes and will benefit from each other's presence.
“They vocalized to each other his first night here, and that has been wonderful to hear,” said Moore.
During your next visit to the BioPark Zoo, keep an eye out for Hodari and be sure to say hello. We’re confident you’ll find him as amazing as we do!