Type of place
Habitat
Area
Asia
Status
Open

Whipsnade Zoo's Rhinos of Nepal habitat provides a fantastic home for our greater one-horned rhinos, highlighting ZSL's conservation work with these 'armour-plated giants'.

A greater one-horned rhino in the paddock at Whipsnade Zoo

About the Rhinos of Nepal habitat

The £1m development features indoor heated pools so that our greater one-horned rhinos can enjoy their favourite pastime – wallowing in muddy water – all year round. A spacious viewing area allows the public to get closer to the rhinos indoors as well as watching them in their outdoor paddock.

A walk across to the “maternity wing” takes visitors through the specially-designed watch tower, modelled on those used by conservationists to spot rhinos in the field.

Rhinos of Nepal utilises recycled and local materials where possible (such as recycled railway sleepers and local sandstone). Making use of natural sunlight, and unique water treatment systems linked to a reed bed system to filter waste water before it drains away.

There are also many other features, such as rubberised flooring for improved foot care, safe animal confinement for training, and flexible stall spaces within a well-ventilated environment. 

Visit our greater one-horned rhinos

ZSL's rhino conservation

There are only around 3,700 greater one-horned rhinos left in the wild and they are under threat from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching for their horns. These animals are restricted to less than a dozen protected areas, scattered across north and north-eastern India and southern Nepal. 

 

  • Greater one-horned rhino Hugo at Whipsnade Zoo

    Greater one-horned rhino

    Greater one-horned rhinos are the second largest species of rhino, after the white rhino

  • Greater one-horned rhino Zhiwa with mum Behan in the background at Whipsnade Zoo

    Whipsnade Zoo Map

    Visit our greater one-horned rhinos in the Asia section of the Zoo

  • Two scimitar-horned oryx at Whipsnade Zoo

    Conservation

    Learn more about Whipsnade Zoo's conservation

  • Book now to visit our animals at Whipsnade Zoo