Denver Zoo’s first white rhinos are coming in October

For the first time in its 130-year history, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is preparing to welcome two southern white rhinos. The rhinos are expected to arrive in Denver in mid-October, leaving zoo staff less than a month to finalize their new home. 

The 4-year-old and 5-year-old male rhinos are named Mkuu and Viazi, which are Swahili for “prince” and “potatoes,” respectively. 

The arrival of the two young rhinos has required the zoo to transform a habitat previously occupied by a single black rhino, Rudy, who was euthanized at 32 years old on May 26, 2026, after a month of end-of-life care for worsening chronic health conditions.

According to Maura Davis, the curator of large mammals at the Denver Zoo, part of the decision to bring in white rhinos rather than another black rhino stems from the difference in personalities between the rhino species. 

“White rhinos are more social, where black rhinos live on their own,” Davis said. “Two young males are going to have a lot of fun. They’re very curious.”

The change from one black rhino to two white rhinos meant the zoo had to adapt its habitat to comfortably house two rhinos while also keeping them safe. 

Some of the updates to the inside section of the habitat include adding a divider, allowing for the zookeepers to separate the animals when needed, replacing concrete floors with 10 inches of natural substrate to promote better foot health and building a new water drinking system that saves millions of gallons of water every year.  

There are also changes happening to the outdoor section of the habitat to ensure the safety of the white rhinos. For example, the outdoor surface was uneven and had many tripping hazards, which was not an issue for Rudy, yet would be a safety concern for two energetic young rhinos.  

Crews also moved large boulders to the edge of the habitat to prevent the playful rhinos from destroying the plants along the perimeter. 

With renovations happening all over the rhino habitat, the goal is to create a space for these newcomers to feel as safe and free as possible. 

“We try to give all of the animals as much choice in their day-to-day as possible,” Davis said. “Overnight they would get the chance to choose if they want to sleep inside or outside.” 

Mkuu and Viazi are both currently living in Florida at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited organizations. The two rhinos have never met before, as they currently live at different facilities. 

The plan is for a truck to pick up both rhinos on the same day and drive them out to Denver in one trip, stopping every couple hours for them to eat and drink. The rhinos will be in separate crates on the back of the truck and will not have contact with each other until they reach the Denver Zoo. The rhinos arriving at the same time is crucial for the zoo. 

“The hope is they’ll move here on the same day, so no one’s gonna have the chance to set up a territory,” Davis said. 

Upon arrival, the zoo will hire a crane company to lift the crates off the truck bed and place them into the habitat for the first time. The arrival of a new species provides an opportunity to educate visitors about southern white rhino conservation efforts. 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the southern white rhino as Near Threatened with an estimated population of 19,600 to 21,000. Although southern white rhinos are not currently classified as endangered, poaching and the illegal ivory trade business still pose threats to rhino populations. 

“I think educating and awareness is one of the biggest things we can do when it comes to anti-poaching,” Davis said. “If you go to an antique store, don’t buy ivory jewelry.” 

Although conservation is part of the zoo’s broader mission, the two rhinos are not expected to be part of a breeding program. However, the zoo would consider the idea if the AZA’s Species Survival Plan called for it.

“If they were to want another institution to start breeding, we would absolutely look at what that would take and what that looks like to support the population,” Davis said.  

As for now, the Denver Zoo is doing their part in the conservation of these white rhinos simply by giving them a new home. 

“I used to work with white rhinos, and I’ve missed them a lot,” Davis said. “They have a very special energy and they do genuinely enjoy people. I’m really excited to see these two males grow up together.”