See Endangered Black Rhino 'Meet Cute' At Palm Desert Living Desert

PALM DESERT, CA — It's been almost three weeks since two critically endangered black rhinos were introduced at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert. Things are going pretty good so far, zookeepers say.

Jaali, a 4-year-old male black rhino, was introduced to Nia, his 5-year-old intended, on a carefully arranged first date in the Rhino Savanna. They are but two of the 6,000 black rhinos left in the entire world after being hunted out of pure "human avarice" for their horn and for trophies, according to Living Desert Zoo and Gardens President and CEO Allen Monroe. Now, the world is watching to see if they'll have a successful outcome in about 15 months.

Though the pair arrived at the zoo separately in 2021, both needed to grow and develop before they could be introduced for potential breeding.

The Savannah meet-up was the first step of rhino courtship now that the two captive black rhinos have reached sexual maturity, according to Monroe. "We hope Jaali and Nia and their future babies can be a beacon of hope and end this deplorable practice."

If you see one of them out alone on the Savanna, it's because adult black rhinos are predominantly solitary, according to zookeepers. Since their arrival, both Nia and Jaali have lived separately on the same savanna for the past two years. Still, the habitat was designed to have areas where they could approach and greet each other safely through a barrier.

Allowing them to "hang out together" was the next step in the process.

"We hope this introduction between Jaali and Nia and their future bouncing baby rhino can be the spark that changes that bleak picture for the better," Monroe told Patch. "Between our conservation and education efforts, there is faith black rhinos will not go the way of so many other species that we only know from photographs."

Indeed, their Instagram story is compelling as it is adorable. A video below shows the pair frolicking around their enclosure, eating eucalyptus leaves, and looking pretty happy to see each other.

That's a good thing for zookeepers aiming to help save the black Rhino species.

"Nia and Jaali are two rhinos on a global mission, and that journey is just beginning," a spokesperson for the zoo said. The endangered black rhinos were matched as a "genetically ideal breeding pair" by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan.

Now, Nia and Jaali met for the first time and were able to interact freely.

"They actively engaged with one another, each sizing the other up," a zoo spokesperson wrote on Instagram.

The zoo’s Animal Care team closely monitored both rhinos’ behavior and followed Nia’s lead during the initial introductions.

What’s next? Things have gone well so far where matters of the rhino heart are concerned.

"Nia and Jaali will continue to be brought together over the coming weeks and months with the hope of successful breeding," according to Monroe, who discussed the pivotal introduction.

"It is not the finish line. It is just the start of our efforts to protect these amazing animals," he said. "With a little luck and after a 15-month gestation period, we hope, in a few years, to add at least one more to their diminishing numbers."

In addition to the Zoo’s efforts on grounds, The Living Desert is working with conservation partners and the AZA Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) initiative worldwide to save the black rhino by stopping the root causes of their population decline — poaching and habitat loss.

Have you seen Nia and Jaali? Be sure and visit them at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and follow their love story on Instagram.