Spotlight on: Eastern Black Rhinoceros

This year, the eastern black rhinoceros is the theme animal for May 31’s Run for the Zoo, the 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk that raises funds for Lincoln Park Zoo each year. That’s more than enough reason to highlight this large and charismatic pachyderm, but there’s more.

Kapuki, longtime resident of the zoo and mother of two previous calves born here, is pregnant again, and her calf is expected to arrive sometime between now and the end of April. By bringing attention to the rhinos at the zoo, Kapuki’s much-anticipated birth, and the importance of adding to the rhino population, Lincoln Park Zoo is raising awareness of the critically endangered status of black rhinos.

Here’s what you should know about eastern black rhinos!

Regal Rhinos

There are five living rhino species in Asia and Africa. The ones in Asia are Sumatran rhinos, Javan rhinos, and greater one-horned rhinos. The ones in Africa are white rhinos and black rhinos, although there is no actual difference in color between the two species. Of the five species, three are considered Critically Endangered: Javan, Sumatran, and black rhinos. White rhinos are categorized as Near Threatened while greater one-horned rhinos are Vulnerable, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Rhinos are related to horses and tapirs. Their brown or gray skin is tough but sensitive, like many pachyderms (the word means “thick skin”). Their legs are short and their large heads have one or more horns on the muzzle. Rhino horns are made from keratin, the same substance that makes up human hair and nails—along with animal claws, hooves, beaks, and scales.

Image courtesy of Curator Cassy Kutilek. Featured image ®Todd Rosenberg.

Beautiful Black Rhinos

Black rhinos are represented by a number of still-living subspecies that live across Africa. Researchers disagree exactly how many subspecies there are—more than three, less than eight—though they do agree that eastern rhinos are different than ones living further south on the continent. Eastern black rhinos like the ones at Lincoln Park Zoo specifically reside in eastern African countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

Black rhinos have two horns, and the larger horn grows in front of the other. These horns continue to grow throughout their life, with males sporting thicker ones than females. Individuals from different areas will have varying sizes and shapes of horns. Rhinos use horns for dominance displays, defense, and digging. Some researchers think the smaller, second horn might operate as a buffer to protect the eyes and face during fights.

Black rhinos may have been named so to differentiate them from white rhinos, but the name may also refer to the fact that they like to wallow in dark mud, so their skin looks darker sometimes. At up to 6 feet tall and 3,000 pounds, they are actually smaller than white rhinos. Another difference between black and white rhinos is in their lips. Black rhinos have pointed, prehensile lips that can grasp leaves and branches while feeding.

Black rhinos are solitary, except for mothers and their calves. However, females are more social, and their ranges may overlap with other another, while males are solitary and territorial. They are more active in the morning and evening, when they browse for food. During the hottest part of the day, black rhinos sleep or wallow in mud—and the mud acts as both a sunscreen and an insect repellent. These rhinos have relatively bad eyesight, so they depend on scent marking to communicate. Although they do not always move quickly, they can run up to 30 miles an hour.

When mating, pairs generally stay together just two or three days. The females’ gestation period lasts between 15 and 17 months, resulting in a newborn calf weighing up to 100 pounds who can stand within the first few hours of life. Young are weaned after 2 years of age and leave their mother between 2 and 4 years. Female black rhinos become sexually mature between 3–5 years old and males do so between 7–10 years old.

Kapuki and Utenzi. Image courtesy of Curator Cassy Kutilek.

Decline and Rebound

Once considered the most numerous of the world’s rhino species, black rhinos have suffered due to hunting and displacement from human settlements and agriculture. By 1960, only 100,000 remained. And then, between 1960 and 1995, large-scale poaching reduced black rhino numbers by 98%—the most drastic decline of all rhino species. Much of the poaching took place because rhino horn, despite being made from a distinctly common material, is considered to be a traditional remedy in certain Asian cultures and has been used to make weapons such as daggers. At its low, only 2,500 individual black rhinos remained in the worldwide population.

Since then, conservation efforts have helped to increase the population. By 2018, there were more than 5,600 animals, and the International Rhino Foundation reports an IUCN population number of more than 6,700 black rhinos in 2025, with only a fraction of those (about 1,000) being eastern black rhinos. All black rhinos continue to face severe threats, and help is needed to curb the poaching and habitat loss that remain their biggest threats. Black rhino populations continue to increase, but slowly.

Eastern Black Rhinos at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is home to three rhinos—soon to be four!

Kapuki: This lovely 20-year-old rhino is a longtime zoo favorite who gave birth to King in 2013 and Romeo in 2019. She is pregnant with her third calf and due any day now. Her pregnancy is progressing much like her previous ones so far, which is a hopeful sign. Kapuki’s favorite foods are alfalfa hay and watermelon.

Utenzi: Utenzi is a 21-year-old rhino who arrived from Cincinnati Zoo in 2022 as part of the Black Rhino Species Survival Plan®. He is the father of Kapuki’s upcoming calf. You can tell him apart from the females by his horns; he came to the zoo with a pre-existing issue in the larger one that causes it to grow in an irregular way. After testing it, staff discovered that the fissures in the horn make him susceptible to infections or damage, so it is preventively, routinely trimmed down. As with human hair and nails, this doesn’t hurt, and the horn grows back.

Lulu: The youngest and newest of the three, Lulu is an 8-year-old rhino who arrived at Lincoln Park Zoo in 2023 in a collaborative exchange during which Romeo, Kapuki’s offspring, became a resident at Buffalo Zoo while she arrived here. Lulu has a breeding recommendation with Utenzi as well. She can be distinguished by her smaller size, fuzzy ears, and the curly hair on her tail.

Take Action With Us

The illegal trafficking of wild animals and products made from wild animals—such as rhino horn—is driving many species closer to extinction. One way Lincoln Park Zoo has helped is by providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with trimmed rhino horn pieces to train its wildlife detection dogs. This makes it possible for those dogs to recognize illegal materials that are being smuggled into the U.S. at airports like O’Hare. Lincoln Park Zoo is involved with numerous anti-trafficking initiatives, including a partnership with Monitor Conservation Research Society and being a member of AZA’s Wildlife Trafficking Alliance. In the past, Lincoln Park Zoo has also helped southwestern black rhinos at Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa by collecting fecal samples to monitor hormones and assess the presence of parasites.

You, too, can help. When you are traveling, avoid sharing images of animals as pets or performers. Be a smart shopper—don’t buy animal parts or products made from wild animals. If you aren’t sure what you’re being sold, ask for the origin of an item. This way, you can reduce the chance that you’re unknowingly supporting harmful practices. And spread the word. Now that you know that rhino horn has the same properties as human fingernails and gathering rhino horn results in so much damage, you can let others know.