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PJ, the greater one-horned rhino, is trading the Florida sunshine for snowflakes in Buffalo, New York, so that he can breed and perpetuate his species. But before that, the Zoo is sending him off in style with a rhino-sized farewell celebration on September 20.
Guests are invited to join us for a day of PJ-themed festivities, including special keeper talks, enrichment moments, and memory-making photo ops to honor our favorite two-ton friend before he embarks on his next adventure.
“PJ has been an amazing ambassador for his species, helping us educate guests about the importance of conservation,” said CEO Richard E. Glover, Jr. “While we’ll miss him here in Florida, we’re excited for this next chapter in his journey and know he’ll continue to make a difference in Buffalo. Being able to pass on his genetics to a new generation of greater one-horned rhinos is critically important and what he was born to do.”
August also marks your last chance to book a Rhino Encounter with PJ, where guests get an up-close look at PJ and learn all about this incredible species from his care team. To book a rhino encounter, click here.
PJ is a greater one-horned rhinoceros, and one of only approximately 4,000 remaining in the world. PJ’s move is part of a collaborative conservation effort among the AZA-accredited zoos called a Species Survival Plan (SSP). SSPs are designed to keep a genetically diverse breeding population of endangered and threatened species in AZA institutions to guard against species extinction.
PJ’s move to Buffalo is so that he can do what he was born to do—help perpetuate his species. As a future breeding male, he will play a key role in helping to grow the population of greater one-horned rhinos.
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a holding facility for male rhinos that are part of the AZA’s greater one-horned rhino SSP. As a result, the Zoo will be getting another young male greater one-horned rhino this fall.
For more information about the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, visit www.centralfloridazoo.org.
About the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is home to more than 350 animals in Sanford, Florida. As a not-for-profit organization, it is a leader in conservation, creating connections that inspire people to take action for wildlife. More information is available at www.centralfloridazoo.org.
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