The little giants were entrusted with an extraordinary task – to predict the winner of the World Cup final. For this, they were given two balls, well known and daily used enrichment tools for the white rhinos. This time, they symbolically represented the two finalist teams. The balls were placed on stands marked with the flags of the finalist countries. The first to approach the red ball marked with the Spanish flag was the curious white rhino Davis, who nudged the ball a little but did not stay with it for long and soon moved away. Then the rhino Kai confidently approached the Argentine stand and knocked it down along with the ball, according to a press release.
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This choice suggests that the final match will be intense, but according to the prediction of the white rhinos at the Lithuanian Zoo, Argentina will win the World Champion title. Whether this prediction will come true will be revealed in the final match this Sunday, July 19.
This fun initiative not only reminds us of the excitement in sports but also provides an opportunity to learn more about some of the most impressive animals in the world. There are five species of rhinos worldwide, all of which are endangered. The greatest threats to them are poaching, habitat loss, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade. It is estimated that there are only about 27,000 rhinos left in the world.
Currently, the Lithuanian Zoo houses two white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) – Davis, who arrived from the Netherlands, and Kai, who came from Germany. Both animals have been living at the Lithuanian Zoo since September 2023.
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The white rhino is the largest species of rhino and the second largest land mammal in the world after the elephant. Its horns are made of keratin – the same material that human hair and nails are made of. Despite their impressive size, white rhinos can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h. Mud baths help them regulate body temperature, protect against parasites, and shield from the sun.
The population of southern white rhinos today is about 16,000 individuals. This is one of the most successful examples of endangered species conservation in the world – the entire current population was restored from just 50 surviving animals.
The Lithuanian Zoo reopened its doors in November 2023 after more than two years of reconstruction, which covered about 80% of the entire zoo. It currently houses more than 2,600 animals representing about 200 species (including fish and insects), of which 83 are globally protected and 15 are listed in the Lithuanian Red Book.
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