FedEx flies 2,600-pound rhino to Oregon

CLEVELAND - One of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s big kids flew across the country on Tuesday.

Zuri, a black rhinoceros, was born at the zoo in July 2007, but is now a resident of the Oregon Zoo in Portland.

The zoo sent Zuri across the country via FedEx. The 2,600-pound rhino was loaded in a special crate, to keep Zuri calm during the long journey, and then sent first-class to Oregon on a cargo plane.

Zoo officials said training for the transfer took nearly a year. Zoo keepers had to get the black rhino acclimated to the crate by spending time in it each day. Keepers even ran tests to make sure the animal was used to noises it may hear on the plane or in a truck.

The rhino’s big move was recommended by the Back Rhino Species Survival Plan. Zoo officials said they hope she will produce offspring with Oregon’s male rhino, Pete.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo still have four other rhinos, including Zuri’s parents, Inge and Jimma.

For information on zoo hours and admission, check out its website at clemetzoo.com