Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium - in partnership with SeaWorld, South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation, and the Denver Zoo - will implement a project to improve the management of rhino populations to become genetically and demographically viable within the country's zoos. They will integrate sex-sorted artificial insemination into the population sustainability plans for African white and Asian greater one-horned rhinos. The project team will strategically bank rhino sperm samples from all species and implement a risk management approach of sample duplication among existing partners' genome resource banks. They also will establish an effective estrus synchronization protocol for the endangered African black rhino as a first step toward developing a successful artificial insemination procedure in that species. Partner zoos and conservation facilities will undergo individualized training and/or support in natural and assisted rhino breeding.