A new exhibit for Indian rhinos opened at Centre d'Etudes er de Recherches Zoologiques Augeron near Lisieux, France. First rhino shown was male Gujerat, born in San Diego, on loan from Lisbon. A female arrived from Planckendael.
Liseux, France. Exhibit for Indian rhinos. Three enclosures situated in a light, airy, well-planted building cover an area of more than 250 m? Natural tree trunks, which are less abrasive to the animals' skin than concrete, were used as much as possible in enclosure construction. The vertically arranged trunks are spaced at interval sufficiently wide to allow easy escape of staff in case of emergency. The concrete floors are covered in rubber matting to protect the rhinos' feet. An inside bathing pool is provided and the enclosures are heated by warming the air. Visitors have a good view through large laminated windows. A large sliding door allows access to an outdoor enclosure of about 2 ha that is landscaped as a gently sloping valley with an old overgrown hedgerow in the centre. The enclosure, fenced by horizontal cables one of which is electric, provides amples grazing. Three large, natural, interconnecting pools have been provided for this purpose.
Most recent calf in 1998.
