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'''Ricko''' (born [[January 16]], [[1997]]) | [[Image:Ricko the Rhino.jpg|right|thumb|Ricko in 2009]] | ||
'''Ricko''' (born [[January 16]], [[1997]] in San Francisco, California; died [[April 8]], [[2022]] at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois) was a 2,800 pound male Eastern black rhinoceros (''Diceros bicornis michaeli'') who was exhibited at the [[Birmingham Zoo]] from [[2003]] to [[2009]]. | |||
Ricko was the second calf born to Elly and Mashaki (also known as "Gene") at the San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco, California in January [[1997]]. In September [[1998]] he was transferred to the Pittsburgh Zoo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From there he was brought to Birmingham on [[November 6]], [[2003]]. | |||
As part of his enrichment activities, Ricko | Ricko was part of the Species Survival Plan, a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help conserve rhinos and other animals. He was taken to Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo on [[October 15]], [[2009]] as a potential breeding partner for a female there. Had he remained in Birmingham he was to have been included in the zoo's [[Trails of Africa]] exhibit, then under construction. | ||
As part of his enrichment activities at the Birmingham Zoo, Ricko produced several paintings by spreading paint on boards using his upper lip. The paintings were sold as fund-raisers for the zoo. He also played with a large ball and enjoyed treats of watermelon, bananas and strawberries. | |||
In August [[2009]] DuPont and Mohawk Carpets installed "SmartStrand Triexta" carpeting in Ricko's indoor exhibit area for two weeks to demonstrate its durability under harsh conditions. Chris Wade of HGTV supervised the design and installation of the carpeting. Four webcams were installed to allow internet users to observe him. Profits from t-shirt and toy sales related to the event were donated to the Zoo and to the International Rhinoceros Foundation. | In August [[2009]] DuPont and Mohawk Carpets installed "SmartStrand Triexta" carpeting in Ricko's indoor exhibit area for two weeks to demonstrate its durability under harsh conditions. Chris Wade of HGTV supervised the design and installation of the carpeting. Four webcams were installed to allow internet users to observe him. Profits from t-shirt and toy sales related to the event were donated to the Zoo and to the International Rhinoceros Foundation. | ||
==References== | |||
* Thornton, William (December 28, 2009) "Birmingham zookeepers keep circle of life turning." {{BN}} | |||
* Nolen, Jermaine (April 9, 2022) "25-year-old rhinoceros Ricko dies of acute illness at Lincoln Park Zoo." ''Chicago Sun-Times'' | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https://www.worldrhino.com/ricko-664/ Ricko] at worldrhino.com | |||
* [http://www.smartstrandchallenge.com SmartStrand Challenge] website | * [http://www.smartstrandchallenge.com SmartStrand Challenge] website | ||
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/RickoTheRhino Ricko the Rhino] channel on YouTube.com | |||
[[Category:1997 births]] | [[Category:1997 births]] | ||
[[Category:2022 deaths]] | |||
[[Category:Zoo animals]] | [[Category:Zoo animals]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Rhinoceroses]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:26, 12 April 2022
Ricko (born January 16, 1997 in San Francisco, California; died April 8, 2022 at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois) was a 2,800 pound male Eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) who was exhibited at the Birmingham Zoo from 2003 to 2009.
Ricko was the second calf born to Elly and Mashaki (also known as "Gene") at the San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco, California in January 1997. In September 1998 he was transferred to the Pittsburgh Zoo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From there he was brought to Birmingham on November 6, 2003.
Ricko was part of the Species Survival Plan, a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help conserve rhinos and other animals. He was taken to Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo on October 15, 2009 as a potential breeding partner for a female there. Had he remained in Birmingham he was to have been included in the zoo's Trails of Africa exhibit, then under construction.
As part of his enrichment activities at the Birmingham Zoo, Ricko produced several paintings by spreading paint on boards using his upper lip. The paintings were sold as fund-raisers for the zoo. He also played with a large ball and enjoyed treats of watermelon, bananas and strawberries.
In August 2009 DuPont and Mohawk Carpets installed "SmartStrand Triexta" carpeting in Ricko's indoor exhibit area for two weeks to demonstrate its durability under harsh conditions. Chris Wade of HGTV supervised the design and installation of the carpeting. Four webcams were installed to allow internet users to observe him. Profits from t-shirt and toy sales related to the event were donated to the Zoo and to the International Rhinoceros Foundation.
References
- Thornton, William (December 28, 2009) "Birmingham zookeepers keep circle of life turning." The Birmingham News
- Nolen, Jermaine (April 9, 2022) "25-year-old rhinoceros Ricko dies of acute illness at Lincoln Park Zoo." Chicago Sun-Times
External links
- Ricko at worldrhino.com
- SmartStrand Challenge website
- Ricko the Rhino channel on YouTube.com