As heavy fog descended upon Melbourne earlier this month, the savannah at the Werribee Open Range Zoo transformed into a scene straight out of a dream.
And just like a fairytale, a majestic Southern white rhinoceros emerged from the morning mist with a bird perched confidently on its back.
Werribee Open Range Zoo Savannah Life Science manager Dominic Moss said despite the surreal atmosphere and company of the bird, 15-year-old rhino Kifaru, was unperturbed.
“He delved into his breakfast delivered by his keepers before enjoying the winter sunshine later in the afternoon,” Mr Moss said.
“It was an amazing visual on the savannah in the morning. The usually visible 30-hectare plains became a mysterious expanse, with outlines of trees and the silhouettes of herds of rhino, giraffes, zebras, ostriches and antelope barely visible through the thick mist.”
Southern White Rhinoceros are classified as ‘near threatened’ on the IUCN Red List with their population in decline. There is an estimated 10,080 remaining in the wild with significant threats including poaching and the illegal trading of rhino horn.
Werribee Open Range Zoo is home to six Southern white rhinoceros who are part of the Australasian regional conservation program. The program aims to maintain a genetically diverse herd that can support conservation of wild populations.
Visitors can see Kifaru and the zoo’s rhino crash on a savannah safari bus tour that run throughout the day and are included with entry.
