Racine Zoo Transfers Critically Endangered Black Rhino for New Breeding Effort

The Racine Zoo has transferred its female eastern black rhino, Timu, to another accredited facility under a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, marking a new chapter in a decades-long conservation program for one of the world's most endangered large mammals.

The Details

Timu arrived at the Racine Zoo in 2003 and had shared an enclosure with Kianga, another eastern black rhino that was moved to the Milwaukee County Zoo in fall 2025. The pair did not produce a successful birth during their time together at the Wisconsin facility.

The transfer comes after the AZA issued a breeding recommendation calling for Timu to move to a facility with a successful record of breeding eastern black rhinos. The receiving facility was not named in the available reporting.

Before the move, Racine Zoo staff coordinated diet changes, specialized training, and online meetings with the receiving facility to prepare Timu for the transition.

Beth Heidorn of the Racine Zoo said in a statement: "We are proud to help increase the conservation of endangered species for generations to come." She added: "Timu was a guest favorite, and we were sad to see her go but so excited for her future and what that means to her kind."

Context

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums oversees Species Survival Plan programs, which it describes as cooperative population management and conservation initiatives for select species housed in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. These programs coordinate breeding recommendations across member institutions to maintain genetic diversity and support species recovery.

The International Rhino Foundation lists black rhinos as critically endangered. According to the organization's estimates, roughly 6,788 black rhinos remain in the wild, including approximately 1,471 eastern black rhinos. Black rhino populations fell sharply in the late 20th century, and the International Rhino Foundation identifies poaching as the biggest ongoing threat to the species.

What's Next

Timu's future now depends on the breeding program at her new facility. The AZA's Species Survival Plan will continue to monitor and coordinate recommendations for eastern black rhino populations across accredited zoos. The Racine Zoo did not indicate whether it expects to receive another rhino in Timu's place.