CBS 58 Exclusive: Milwaukee County Zoo welcomes 2 Eastern black rhinos

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — On Wednesday, The Milwaukee County Zoo announced the arrival of two black rhinos, Zuri and Kianga.

This exciting addition has been years in the making.

Zookeepers at the Racine Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden are saying goodbye.

"I've worked with rhinos for over 35 years. She is one of the best, calmest rhinos I've ever worked with. You guys are really gonna love her," said Randy Pairan, head keeper of Live Hoof Stock, Cincinnati Zoo.

It's the end of an era for them, but the start of a new one in Milwaukee.

"He has a super fun little trait where he blows raspberries. It is sad to see him go, you know, we’ve spent a lot of time with him," said McKenna Moats, marketing and public relations manager, Racine Zoo.

"It’s really exciting, it's been nice to have an opportunity like this," said Tim Wild, curator of large mammals, Milwaukee County Zoo.

Keepers and staff at the Milwaukee County Zoo have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of these two black rhinos, Zuri and Kianga.

"This project has been part of Venture Africa for a lot longer; that this is just the final stage, we are just happy to be done," said Wild.

It's been four years since the Milwaukee County Zoo has housed the species.

"We wanted to simulate the natural habitat, we want to give the rhinos the best welfare we can, so provide complexity in their environment and opportunities to let them behave like rhinos," Wild explained.

Zookeeper Stephanie English says it's a major upgrade for both the rhinos and visitors.

"Where we are sitting now was outside. This was a public pathway. We have a lot of cool opportunities for people to get up close and personal with the rhinos," said English.

The move doesn't just give Milwaukeeans a chance to appreciate the mammals, it also helps save them.

"The best way to get people excited about conservation and animals is to bring them closer," sad English.

It was recommended by the Species Survival Plan, or SSP. Black rhinos are a species in need of our protection.

In 1996, the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed them as critically endangered.

"That means that their population is so small and declining that they can't keep up," English explained.

According to the International Rhino Foundation, the black rhino population suffered a massive decline at the end of the 20th century.

Decreasing 96% from around 65,000 to only 2,300 surviving in the wild.

"Rhinos are poached for that horn, unfortunately. That is a reason for their decline," said English.

Experts with the SSP believe Zuri and Kianga could be a mating match and potentially help their struggling species.

"They keep track of genetics, they keep track of compatibility, they keep track of demographics, all those kinds of things that go into recommending a rhino and who they would match up with," said Wild.

But before the two meet, the three zoos had to coordinate moving these nearly 3,000-pound animals.

"So, once we get the crate off the truck, they will come through this door here and we will put the crate up against this opening here," Wild explained.

To help with their transition, the Milwaukee County Zoo sent Stephanie to Cincinnati to meet Zuri.

"It's great to not only experience the rhino herself, but to experience how she is with her keepers. That was the most rewarding part," said English.

Randy Pairan is the head keeper of Live Hoof Stock at the Cincinnati Zoo.

He says transporting rhinos is like moving apartments. They have to take all their toys and food with them, so they feel comfortable in their new home.

"There's a large plastic cube we put her in enrichment items in there, and she loves to roll around, back-and-forth, and treats out that," said Pairan.

By all accounts, everyone involved is ready for Zuri and Kianga's new journey, with a happy, healthy home in Milwaukee.

"He’s going into great- into an amazing place, with amazing care, and gonna have so many wonderful opportunities," said Moats.

"She settled in very quickly, within 20 minutes," said Pairan.

The rhinos need to spend 30 days in quarantine.

The Milwaukee County Zoo hopes to open the Rhino Care Center to the public in December.