Rhino drops in at new home

A TWO-TONNE white rhino has been winched by crane into her new home at a safari park.

Eight-year-old Lucy has been transferred to Blair Drummond Safari Park, near Stirling, from West Midland Safari Park, in Bewdley, Worcestershire, as part of a European breeding programme.

In exchange, Blair Drummond will be sending its two-year-old female, Ailsa, to West Midland, to avoid any in-breeding among the parks’ rhinos.

Lucy travelled more than 300 miles to her new home, where she was lowered into the rhino enclosure.

After sniffing the ground for several minutes, she tentatively took her first steps around the enclosure.

Lucy will be given time to adjust to her new surroundings before being introduced to the park’s other rhinos – Dot, Graham and their calf, Angus.

It is hoped that Lucy and Graham, Blair Drummond’s only mature bull rhino, will eventually mate.

Chris Lucas, head of large mammals, said: “Exchanges are becoming more common now. Lots of zoos and safari parks across Europe are working together with the idea of exchanging their rhinos in order to maximise the breeding potential of the captive European population.”

Lucy and Ailsa are being exchanged under recommendation by the European Endangered Species Programme.

Pictures: PA. Lucy in her new home. She is lowered into the enclosure and emerges as Chris Lucas looks on.