Grand Opening Date for San Antonio Zoo’s New Rhino Exhibit

There’s a newly renovated savanna opening up in the Texas Hill Country, and although it’s not the kind you’ll be able to roam through, daydreaming your cares away, it will be one you’ll want to visit. The San Antonio Zoo is on the brink of revealing the work that’s been put into their rhino savanna, recently announcing a grand opening date of March 2, 2019.  The savanna has been under construction since fall 2018. With an online invitation, the zoo has welcomed visitors to a #RhinosReturn event happening in just over two weeks!

“Join us March 2nd for the Grand Opening of our newly expanded Savanna. Rhinos return to an expanded and improved habitat with more room, more trees, a waterfall, creek and much more.  Enjoy the new viewing deck, new viewing overlooks and The Last Three rhino sculpture (the largest rhino sculpture in the world!)” the zoo’s Facebook event invitation said. According to local media, two young females will be the first of the rhinos to take up residence in the savanna. The two of them are approximately two years in age, and within a year’s time, will be joined by a young male.

Photo: Flickr/Lisa Williams

Named for a donor to the rhino program, a standout feature of the new habitat is the Hixon Rhino Nursery. It was Hixon who assisted in bringing two of the species to the San Antonio Zoo some time ago, which led to the first birth of a Southern White Rhino in North America in 1972. Over the next few years, it’s also hoped that the zoo will be able to relaunch their rhino breeding program. Other new features include viewing overlooks and a viewing deck. Tim Morrow, CEO of the zoo, has stated that the new rhino exhibit will be connected to others for better interaction amongst species of the zoo’s hoof-stock, such as giraffes and zebras. Those who hold annual passes to the zoo can attend the March 2 #RhinosReturn event at 9 a.m. while those who purchase general admission will have access at 10 a.m. A unique souvenir will be gifted to the first 500 visitors.