Buffalo Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo announce rhinoceros transfer

The Buffalo Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo have announced the successful transfer of two rhinos between the two institutions.

On Oct. 3, Romeo, a 4-year-old male eastern black rhinoceros, left Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and moved to Buffalo; while Lulu, a female 5-year-old eastern black rhino, moved from Buffalo to Chicago. The transfer of Romeo and Lulu was part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommendation to support eastern black rhino conservation.

“The Buffalo Zoo is proud to be a part of this major rhino undertaking,” said Lisa Smith, president and CEO. “It is incredibly important that we continue to work together to save this critically endangered species. Moving these rhinos to their new homes gives each zoo a chance to work towards the conservation of the species. There are currently 53 animals at 26 AZA-accredited zoos, so every female being in a breeding situation is critical to the population.”

Romeo comes to Buffalo where he will spend the next few years maturing before he is ready to breed. Lulu moves to Chicago with the hope of being successfully paired up with one of that zoo’s 19-year-old males.

"Lincoln Park Zoo is honored to provide a new home for Lulu,” said Cassy Kutilek, curator of carnivores and large mammals. Lulu's arrival helps support this critically endangered population through the eastern black rhinoceros Species Survival Plan. Romeo is an incredibly special rhino who is strong, calm and observant, and we’re glad Buffalo Zoo is providing a new space for him to enter into adulthood."

Romeo image courtesy of the Buffalo Zoo.

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The Buffalo Zoo stated, “Black rhinos are one of the most endangered mammals on the planet, with The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species listing the eastern black rhino as a critically endangered species. The total is estimated to be 5,500 individuals remaining in the wild. They are threatened by a number of factors, including poaching, habitat loss and climate change.”

The Buffalo Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Grounds remain open for one hour after admission gates close.

Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is the third-oldest zoo in the U.S. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes nearly 500,000 visitors annually and is among the largest tourist attractions in Western New York.

A press release stated, “Located on 23.5 acres of Frederick Law Olmsted’s beautiful Delaware Park, the zoo provides interactive and educational family experiences throughout the year. With a diverse collection of wild and exotic animals and more than 320 different species of plants, visitors are introduced to and engulfed by nature each time they visit.”

For more information, visit www.buffalozoo.org.