Introducing Aluminum Bottled Water

The Kansas City Zoo remains committed to offering sustainable solutions, and we are excited to announce the latest step in conserving and protecting our environment. As of February 1, we transitioned to selling PepsiCo products which allows us to offer bottled water in an aluminum screw-top container. Especially as we near the opening of the aquarium and focus more and more on ocean conservation, we are proud to expand our efforts to reduce consumption of single-use plastics. Guests will still be getting a fantastic selection of beverage options, but our products will now also feature more environmentally friendly packaging.

And for those that choose to bring your own refreshments to the Zoo, we continue to offer water bottle refilling stations throughout the grounds – 32 in all! While the outdoor stations are turned off during the winter months, indoor stations continue to operate year-round. Last year, those bottle refill stations helped divert more than 100,000 plastic bottles from the landfill. It is estimated that roughly half of our annual plastic production is destined for a single-use product, so we want to do our part. Join us as we take the next step in sustainability and conservation!

DID YOU KNOW?

A group of rhinos is called a crash.

On New Year’s Eve 2022, the Zoo had a thrilling arrival that made the holiday season an extra special one! Eastern black rhinoceros Zuri, 15, gave birth to a female calf! Thanks to the animal care specialists’ creativity in coming up with finalists and a public vote, the name Zumi (meaning “happy dance” and also fitting because mom gets the “zoomies) was selected for the young rhino. Since her arrival, Zumi has been flourishing and already showing a bit of her spunky personality. Bonding between mother and calf is extremely important so the pair was given plenty of private time in the rhino barn with limited human interaction.

Zumi’s birth is significant on a global scale, as the eastern black rhinoceros is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). With only about 1,300 left in the wild, it is the rarest of the three remaining black rhino subspecies and can be found in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. There are just 53 eastern black rhinos in facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), so this addition is not only exciting for the Kansas City Zoo but is very important for the species as a whole. The last five rhino calves born in AZA facilities have been male, a fact which makes this little girl even more special.

Many guests have been following this story since we first announced that Zuri and 11-year-old father Ruka were expecting a calf back in July 2022. Both rhinos came to Kansas City from the Oregon Zoo in 2018 with a breeding recommendation by AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP). Throughout her pregnancy, Zuri received weekly ultrasounds and blood hormone monitoring. The animal care specialists trained with her in preparation for the regular checkups, so she was able to participate in her own care by patiently standing.

Mother and baby have been very healthy and active since the December birth! The next few years will be full of milestones for Zumi. A calf will typically nurse from its mother for about one year. Her horn has already started growing, but it will take several years for it to appear similar to an adult’s horn. The horn is certainly the most notable trait of the rhinoceros, and is made up of a protein called keratin.

As Zumi gets older, she will begin to train with her care team to participate in medical checkups. The animal care specialists and veterinary team will then be able to obtain weights, conduct body checks, and eventually do blood draws to monitor all aspects of Zumi’s health.

Zuri and Zumi will remain behind the scenes as we wait for warmer weather to arrive. During the spring, mom and baby will be rotating regularly in our outdoor habitat with our other rhino residents. We will continue to share updates on this adorable new resident of the Kansas City Zoo on our social media pages, so stay tuned!

(roo-ka)

Born 1/14/2011

Dad to Zumi. He is a sweet boy who loves attention from his care staff. He is picky on his produce and really doesn't like sweet potatoes.

(zur-ee)

Born 7/11/2007

Mom to Zumi. She is being a great mom. She is very smart and easy to train. She does things on her own time.

(ee-mah-ra)

Born 2/8/2004

Imara was born here at the Zoo. She has vitiligo so she can't be in direct sunlight or she'll get sunburnt. She doesn't go into the public habitat but loves visitors when they come to the barn. Imara is a princess who can be stubborn but loves to train and play with enrichment items.

(wer-ih-kee)

Born 10/21/1991

Also known as Riki, he is our oldest rhino. He loves mud puddles and is sometimes a grumpy old man. Riki will sometimes whine for attention from staff.

Adopt Zumi!

Celebrate the birth of Zumi by purchasing an Adopt a Wild Child package for that special someone in your life…or yourself! Your purchase will go toward the outstanding care of over 1,700 animals at the Zoo, including the rhinos! This $75 adoption package includes a rhino plush toy, two Zoo tickets, an official adoption certificate, an animal fact sheet, and a framed photo of Zumi! Get started by scanning the QR code or visiting www.kansascityzoo.org/aawc.