The Montgomery Zoo and Ethan the Rhino

Earlier, First Lady Dianne Bentley visited the Montgomery Zoo with two of her granddaughters. Each exhibit is impressive with sections of the zoo separated by continent. Today the Rhino Exhibit got most of their attention. They were on a mission to meet Ethan, the first rhino species to be produced by artificial insemination in the United States. Since it was a hot day, Ethan was found asleep on his mother Jeta in a water pool but he did get up for a snack at one point during the visit. To learn more about Ethan, please see the Article below. He was featured on TODAY and many other news sources across the nation. This seemingly small animal, at least compared to his mom, is just one other reason to be proud of Alabama.

Mrs. Bentley also took time feeding the birds, talking to the giraffes, and admiring the bald eagle. Each animal is so unique and the plaques by each exhibit are very informative. While there, you can ride in a paddle boat, take a ski lift over the zoo, and even eat in the café. There is a museum on the grounds as well as a building dedicated completely to reptiles.

A trip to the zoo takes less than a day but you walk away with a lot of new knowledge. The First Lady encourages everyone to take time visiting attractions in Alabama, like this zoo, because you never know what you will discover.

 

Montgomery Zoo announces birth of endangered rhino in captivity

By Julie Bennett  

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Meet Ethan, a 191-pound male Indian rhinoceros and the newest member of the Montgomery Zoo family. But this isn't just another cute zoo baby. This is the first calf of any rhino species in the United States, produced by artificial insemination, to be born and thrive in captivity, according to a press release from the Montgomery Zoo.
The Indian rhino is an endangered species. The Montgomery Zoo partnered with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Center for Conservation & Research of Endangered Wildlife to inseminate Jeta, the Montgomery Zoo’s 12- year-old female rhino, with frozen-thawed sperm from the Cincinnati's male rhino collected in 2004. Jeta gave birth on June 5, 2013, to a healthy calf.
According to the press release, only about 2,500 Indian rhinos remain in the wild and 60 live in captivity in North America. "This is a significant birth and scientific achievement for the Montgomery Zoo, CREW and the Zoological Association of America," the release states. "Jeta’s calf demonstrates using AI science as a repeatable and valuable tool to help manage the captive Indian rhino population."
Want to go see the new addition? Zoo hours are daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The animal exhibits begin closing at 4:30pm.