Our zoo currently houses 2.0 Southern White Rhinoceros, ages 16 and 13. Recently, our older male has had a complete change in behavior. Normally a very calm, reserved individual he has become very aggressive. It is very out of character for him. He has been charging the bars of his enclosure, grunting and even growling when he does this. The behavior is not limited to his inside holding, he has been doing this in the outside holding as well. He seems to mean business and when keepers walk past him he charges, seemingly unprovoked. Our other male has always had to walk past him in order to access the exhibit and this has never been an issue before. However, now the other male is nervous to walk past him because the other is ramming the gate as he does. The other male evens tries to "scoot" quickly past as if he is afraid. This behavior is upsetting to us because, like I said, it is so out of character for him. Has anyone ever witnessed severe behavior changes in rhinos before? Could this be hormonal? we can't find any cause for this behavior as of yet...no routine changes, things "out of sorts" in the barn, surrounding area, or holding pens. HELP!
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