Terra Natura Benidorm has prepared a series of informative talks to commemorate World Rhino Day, which is celebrated today 22nd September.

The population of wild Indian rhinoceroses is experiencing a certain recovery in terms of conservation. At least, that is what seems to indicate the increase in the population of this species during the last year, which has allowed to go from 3,700 Indian rhinos to have 4,014 wild individuals in India. This has been highlighted this morning by Terra Natura Benidorm educators in the zoo experience activity, which opens the series of talks and thematic workshops that have been prepared to commemorate World Rhino Day, which is celebrated today.

The educational and informative programme, which has been set up to commemorate this day and raise awareness of the need to continue promoting the conservation of this species in order to consolidate populations in the wild, will continue next Saturday and Sunday. These activities will explain the main threats to these animals and curiosities about the four specimens that currently inhabit the Terra Natura Benidorm nature park.

Of all the existing species of rhinoceros it seems that the Indian rhino is the only one that has managed to recover slightly, because the rhinoceroses of the African continent is the opposite case. Specifically, of the five species of rhinoceros, three are at high risk of extinction. The rhino is one of the largest land animals in the world and its greatest threat is humans.

Adaptive evolution of Jaffna

During the talks to the visiting public, the evolution and adaptation of Jaffna, the last Indian rhinoceros to arrive at Terra Natura Benidorm two months ago, will be explained. Jaffna is affectionate with his keepers, as do his companions.

During this time, he has strengthened his bond with his keepers, who know his tastes and preferences. As a result of this knowledge, Jaffna’s diet has been adapted by giving him more grass hay and alfalfa, instead of fruit and vegetables as the rest of the animals in the park prefer.

A benchmark in rhinoceros’ conservation

Terra Natura Benidorm is considered a reference centre for the care, management and conservation of the Indian rhinoceros in Europe. In fact, it is the only Spanish park that has managed to reproduce the species on two occasions in its facilities. The last baby rhino born in this park is now three years old and already weighs around 1,000 kilos.