NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Zoo is making progress on a plan to help maintain the Southern White Rhinoceros population.
A 4,000 lb. male rhino arrived at the zoo in December and now he is joining the zoo's four females. Named "The Cheetah" by donors, the rhino was separated from the females until this month. He is joining Nandi, Kacie, Norma and Modwani now that he is adjusted.
Their species was almost wiped out 100 years ago. Now - there are more than 20,000 in the world however, illegal poaching in Africa is still a problem.
The Nashville Zoo is working to grow the population.
"The girls are old enough and mature enough to have babies and breed, but he is not old enough," said Rhinokeeper Amelia Davis. "Males are usually mature at seven years old. Hopefully in a year or year-and-a-half when he is old enough...we will have babies."
Rhino gestation is 16 months. None of the girls have been birth before.
