Another month means more birthdays for some of our most iconic residents! This one is extra special—Turbo is officially turning one. Take a look at who’s celebrating, and be sure to wish them a happy birthday when you see them on your visit.
Two Rhino Birthdays!
Turbo, the second Southern white rhino born at Fossil Rim within a year, is celebrating his first birthday! Turbo is almost exactly one year younger than his half-brother Rocket, but is an equal match for him in both spunk and cuteness. As a male member of a near threatened species, Turbo will likely help his fellow rhinos in the future by providing valuable genetics to another herd within human care. This will come after a recommendation from the White Rhino Species Survival Plan – a program that Fossil Rim participates in to help grow the healthy population of rhinos across the United States.
As he was born during relatively chilly weather, Turbo spent much of his early days enjoying the heated barn with his mom, Xena. As the warmer months arrived and Turbo put on some weight, he was moved to a smaller outdoor enclosure. Eventually, he was able to join the rest of the herd in the large rhino pasture. To spot him, look for the smallest member of the family, usually hanging out near his mom or his big brother, Rocket.
In additional rhino news, Raka, one of our adult female white rhinos, is celebrating her 26th birthday this month. Born at Fossil Rim to mom M’bili, she’s one of the easier-to-identify rhinos in the crash. Rather than dramatically curving, Raka’s two horns grow relatively straight out. See if you can spot her in the rhino pasture!
Wish Jan a Happy Birthday from Afar
Following in the hoofsteps of her aptly named son, Janson, who turned one last month, Jan is celebrating her 17th birthday this November. While Jan is a recognizable member of our giraffe herd, she is also known for having an aloof personality. Jan isn’t likely to approach vehicles for snacks, opting instead to eat browse and supplemental feed at a reasonable distance. All of our animals get to choose their level of interaction with guests, and Jan has shown she prefers the personal space offered by her pasture.
To identify Jan, look for the telltale cross shape on her neck, near her right shoulder. While all giraffes have unique spots, some seem to take on shapes and patterns that really stand out. Compared to the typical oblong shapes of most giraffe spots, this little ‘x’ makes it easy to recognize Jan even from a distance.
All of these animals can be seen and celebrated both on a self-guided drive or safari tour. If you’d like to support their care, consider visiting Fossil Rim or making a donation at fossilrim.org/donate.