The Denver Zoo welcomed the latest animal addition, a black rhinoceros, on Tuesday.
Rudy is a 22-year-old rhino from the Oklahoma City Zoo. The Denver Zoo says Rudy is ready to live out his golden years in Denver. At 22, Rudy has lived past the median life expectancy for black rhinoceroses living in North American zoos, which is about 18 years.
Rudy will live in the pachyderm building. The building is closed until Rudy is comfortable in his new surroundings and clears a quarantine period. The Denver Zoo has not said when guests will be able to view the animal.
Rudy was born at Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kan. He moved to the Oklahoma City Zoo in May 2012. Zookeepers say Rudy is laid-back and enjoys painting for enrichment.
The black rhino is a critically endangered species. According to the International Union of Conservation of Nature, there are les than 5,000 black rhinos. The species has been threatened by poaching and habitat loss.
Photos taken by Lena Kofoed
