Rare arrivals at Shanghai Wild Animal Park
The male rhinoceros presented by Nepal to China
A pair of critically endangered rhinoceroses, gifts from Nepal, are the latest arrivals at Shanghai Wild Animal Park in the Pudong New Area.
They are in quarantine but will greet visitors soon, the park said.
They have quickly become accustomed to their new environment, keepers said.
Each eats around 60 kilograms of food every day, mainly fresh grass, and fruit and vegetables such as fresh watermelon, apples, bananas, carrots and cabbages.
They are in good health, and the park is to ask the public to give them Chinese names.
The great one-horned rhinoceros once lived south of the Huaihe River but became extinct in China because of changes in climate and their habitat, and human activities, according to park expert Pan Weihua.
Today, they are only found in a few Asian countries including Nepal and India, he said. It is estimated there are around 2,700 in existence.
A joint program between China and Nepal to protect and research the species was launched at the park on Wednesday.
"The rhinoceros project conveys the message of deep friendship of Nepal people and serves as a new bridge and bond of the exchange between the two peoples," said Li Chunliang, deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. "China and Nepal will step up cooperation in the protection and research on endangered animal species and plants."
The female rhinoceros presented by Nepal to China will soon be greeting visitors to Shanghai Wild Animal Park
The pair of critically endangered rhinoceroses arrive in Shanghai on a flight from Nepal.
The pair of rare rhinoceroses presented by Nepal to China are made ready to board their flight to Shanghai.
