White Rhinos are the most social and largest of the 5 Rhino sub-species. Rhinos live an average of 50 years in captivity. They graze in groups of up to 7. Although calves are weaned from their mother at around 12 months old, they usually stay with their mothers up until about 3 years old.
You may be surprised that Rhinos communicate with each other using their ears, nostrils, posture and complex breathing for communication and expression. These sounds can cary from calf squeaking, to snarling, or wailing by adults.
White Rhino feed and rest alternately during the day and night, often resting in the hottest part of the day. Males live in small territorial ranges. Female home ranges are larger and may overlap several male territories. Home ranges are scent posted with dung heaps, also known as middens and usually located at territory boundaries. The size of the midden represents the rhino’s status
White Rhino are one of the heaviest land animals in the world. Colouration is yellowish brown to slate grey. They produce 2 horns on their snout, made from keratin which can grow up to 1.8 meters in length. White rhino have a distinct flat broad mouth for grazing. All rhinos have poor eyesight but good hearing and a good sense of smell
Southern Africa, with smaller trans located populations found in Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe
Herbivore; grazing mostly on grass
Breeding occurs throughout the year, after courtship and mating which lasts during 1 to 3 weeks. Males use scent to determine when females are approaching estrus. The territorial bull will join the female for up to 20 days until she is ready to mate
Mother and calf stay together for long periods, often until the next calf is born, around 3 years. Sexually mature males tend to lead solitary lives
Habitat loss and poaching, horns for use in traditional Chinese medicine
Gorillas are the largest of the primate family and the closest to Homo Sapiens, sharing 98% of our DNA structure. They live in family groups and are very sociable animals.
There are two main groups of Gorillas, Western and Eastern Gorillas, both with sub species.
Primarily found in lowland tropical forest particularly where there is dense ground level herbaceous growth, swap forest with new growth and hot and humid with year round rainfall
Gorillas are Diurnal; living in home ranges, which may overlap. Sleeping for about 13 hrs over night and resting for several hrs during the day. Generally peaceful, shy and amiable unless threatened, although males will beat chest with fists to intimidate or show strength. Gorillas build day and night nests on the ground using branches and leaves.
Southern Sudan and southern Ethiopia, east of the Nile River to southern Angola and northern Namibia and northern South Africa
Primarily herbivores eating over 200 types of plants, also feeding on flowers, wood, bark, leaves, fruit and fungus.
No fixed breeding season and mating occurs throughout the year. Once born infants are carried by the mother and by 3 months are able to crawl and cling to their mother. Females provide young with transportation, food as well as protection.
Gorilla group sizes average 10, called a troop, composed of at least one adult male, several adult females and their offspring. Groups are lead by the dominant male called a silverback. ( silverbacks have grey hair on their backs which develops with sexual maturity at around 11 years of age.) Mature males called ‘blackbacks’ are driven out by silverbacks and form bachelor groups or their own families with lower ranking females.
Commercial hunting, Habitat destruction, Disease; Ebola virus, illegal mining, adults poached for bush meat leaving orphaned youngsters to be subjected to the illegal pet trade.
These highly intelligent and energetic mammals are also very sociable. Meerkats have a complex social structure where each meerkat has a role to play within the mob. Meerkats have a leader and adults are found in pairs. Despite their tiny stature, meerkats can live around 8-12 years in the harsh wild, and even longer in the relative safety of captivity.
Omnivore; primarily insectivores but also reptiles, small mammals, birds, eggs, plants, fungi, root and bulbs. Preferring insects, meerkats will also eat roots and leaves and even prey on birds and reptiles.
Diurnal living in home ranges. Group members will forage individually but visual and vocal contact is maintained at all times. One or more members will keep watch for predators and is known as a sentry. Meerkats take cover and sleep in burrows, which are sometimes excavated on their own but frequently use burrows of other animals
Long slender body and tail, long front claws, coat is grey-tan-brown with parallel stripes and black patches around eyes
Widespread in the Western parts Southern Africa
Year round breeding occurs with up to 2 liters per year. Usually only the alpha pair breed successfully. Meerkats are co-operative breeders and non-breeding adults will assist in the care of pups while they remain in the burrow for up to 3 weeks. Once mature, males will voluntarily disperse from the group to form news groups with unrelated females
Meerkats are highly social; living in large family groups of up to 30. Each member of the group plays an important role in foraging, keeping watch and caring for offspring
Meerkat encounters can be booked at both Mogo Wildlife Park and Hunter Valley Wildlife Park, where you can experience a Meerkat’s world first hand.