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Meet the Rhinos
at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Inge

Sex: Female
Weight: 2,855
Date of Birth: 1993
Birthplace: South African savanna

Inge (pronounced Ing' ah) came to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in 1997 from the Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Since her arrival, Inge has given birth to three rhino calves, including her latest offspring born July 11, 2007. Her keepers describe Inge as a "good mother." Her move to the Zoo was through a cooperative agreement with the South African government so she could breed with male rhino Spike, who sired Inge's first two offspring, Azizi, who now resides at the Pittsburgh Zoo, and Kibibi. Spike now lives at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan.

Jimma

Sex: Male
Weight: 2,977
Date of Birth: November 29, 1990
Birthplace: San Diego Wild Animal Park

Jimma came to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in 2005 on a mission - to become a father for the first time. Previously, his attempts to breed at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan, were unsuccessful; so officials there decided to send him to Cleveland in hopes he'd find success with a more experienced partner. Apparently things worked out with female rhino Inge, who had previously produced two offspring, as Jimma became a father on July 11, 2007.

Kibibi

Sex: Female
Weight: 2,200
Date of Birth: August 2, 2003
Birthplace: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

As only the second black rhino ever born at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Kibibi won the hearts of many Zoo employees, visitors and volunteers when she arrived. Described as a precocious youngster, Kibibi now is the older half-sister to the Zoo's newest rhino calf. Kibibi also enjoys painting to benefit rhino conservation projects. She uses her prehensile upper lip to spread paint across the canvas, and her keepers say her technique has advanced with practice. Her mother is Inge, and her father is Spike, who now lives at Potter Park Zoo.

Rhino Photo Gallery


One of the Zoo's black rhinos, Kibibi, and animal keeper during blood draw training.

Jimma, the Zoo's male black rhino	Mother and daughter, Inge and Kibibi, playing in the mud

Napping in the afternoon sun	Dr. Pam Dennis checking the status of the Zoo's black rhinos