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Greater One-horned Rhino

Location:

May be seen in either exhibit (formerly elephant) along main outer tropics trail

Greater One-horned Rhino

  • Chutti ("Holiday" in Hindi) (M) 11/27/2014

Identifying Features:

  • Chutti weighs around 5500 lbs (as of 12/2024) He is larger and has more folds around his neck. Chutti may be seen in one of the new elephant exhibits across from the jaguars.

History:

  • Chutti was born at the San Diego Safari Park's Asian Plains exhibit on Thanksgiving

  • He was born to first-time mother, Kaya. While Kaya nursed and cared for her newborn for almost two weeks, keepers realized he wasn’t gaining weight as he should. To provide the calf with the optimal care to thrive, he was hand-raised. (see more below)

  • He moved to the Fresno Chafee Zoo on September 25, 2017. 

  • He came to Phx because his enclosure in Fresno was being remodeled.

  • Whether or not he stays in Phoenix is up to SSP. He is ot high on recommended breeding list, so will likely stay in at the Phx Zoo.

  • Bhotu arrived from the San Diego Safari Park on Dec. 3, 2024. He is half-brother to Chutti, sharing a father. Bhotu (M) 4/24/21 - deceased

CONSERVATION: The Phoenix Zoo supports the International Rhino Foundation’s work with local partner Aaranyak and community members in India’s Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries. This project restores rhino habitat, including removing invasive plants that outcompete native rhino food plants and have taken over important rhino areas.

LEARN MORE HERE: https://rhinos.org/our-work/where-we-work/india/ 

More Information:

  • Also know as the Indian Rhinosaurus

  • Male greater one-horned rhinos are solitary, so Chutti and Bhotu will always be separated on exhibit.

  • Young rhinos can be together until around 5 years of age, so Bhotu and Patrick will be together for a while.

  • Largest of three rhino species in Asia

  • Habitat: Forest, grasslands, wetlands (inland)

  • Solitary in the wild

  • Size: Length 10-12.5 ft; Height 5.75-6.5 ft; 4000-6000 lbs.

  • Two tusk-like incisors in their lower jaw used when fighting for territory or females

  • Folds of skin around the neck provide some protection from predators

  • Both males and females have a single dark horn up to 21 inches long

  • Can run up to 35 mph

  • Very aquatic and good swimmers

  • Spend time in pools or mud wallows to combat heat and protect from bugs

  • Excellent hearing, but rely on sense of smell for knowledge of surroundings

  • Nearly extinct at beginning of 20th century, however, because of strict protection from Indian and Nepalese wildlife authorities, they have recovered. Currently estimated to be around 3,700.

  • IUCN: Vulnerable

  • Conservation success story!!!

  • Bhotu:

  • Chutti:

  • Per Mike:  When Chutti was young he was not putting on weight as he should and needed to have supplemental feedings. He was moved to the nursery at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and had a companion that was a baby Ankole (Watusi) cow. The cow that he was raised with is a cow that lived at the Zoo and not a farm. I can see how someone seeing Chutti with a cow could think he was raised on a farm but that is not accurate. At no time did Chutti live on a farm and he was not raised by cows.

  • Videos of Chutti as a baby:

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMgrIojeexc

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPMwOPwurKU&t=13s




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