When will Sacramento Zoo welcome its white rhinoceros? Here’s the latest update

Sacramento residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the white rhino at the Sacramento Zoo.

Last November, the zoo announced big changes to its facilities, one being the arrival of the white rhinoceros to the Sacramento Zoo grounds. The zoo also announced its relocation to Elk Grove, which will focus on caring for rare and endangered species.

Buzz surrounding the rhino’s arrival this week has started online. One Reddit user posted on the Sacramento forum a photo promoting the arrival of the rhino at the Sacramento Zoo. Comments from excited residents filled the comment section.

Here’s what we know so far:

White rhino homecoming

It’s still unknown when exactly the rhino will make its way to the Sacramento Zoo.

The zoo’s facilitates team is currently working to get the new habitat ready, where the rhino will be living, said Andrea Haverland Community Engagement Coordinator at the Sacramento Zoo, in an email to The Bee.

As soon as the facility is done, the zoo plans to welcome the rhino, which will be sometime later this year, Haverland said.

This will be the first time the Sacramento Zoo welcomes a white rhinoceros to its grounds.

Progress on the facility is going well, Haverland said.

What’s happening to the white rhino

The white rhinoceros is classified as “near threatened,” according to the World Wide Fund for Nature, a wilderness preservation organization.

Rampant poaching of the rhino’s horn has led to the animal’s low population numbers, according to WWF. There are around 18,000 registered rhino’s in protected areas and private game reserves.

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