ORLANDO, Fla. The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens has a new addition: Jahi, a 3,000-pound Indian rhinoceros thanks to Fairwinds CU.
Local officials, zoo employees and guests gathered at the new Fairwinds Credit Union Indian Rhinoceros Exhibit to welcome the rhino with a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 15.
The exhibit is expected to feature two rhinos by the end of the month. Jahi will be joined by PJ, who will come to the zoo from the White Oaks Conservation Center in Yulee, Fla.
“It really is just our corporate community social responsibility to make sure that we are active,” said Phil Tischer, chief operating officer of Fairwinds. “We work here, we live here and it is our job to make sure that the community is a better place.”
The Indian rhinoceros is one of five species of rhinoceros worldwide. They have a horn that can re-grow if broken and can live up to 45 years. This species of rhinos is listed as endangered.
“With less than 3,000 animals in the wild, Indian rhinoceros still face pressure from poaching,” zoo officials said.
