Milwaukee County Zoo Unveils $22.6 Million Rhino Care Center to Aid Endangered Species

The Milwaukee County Zoo has officially opened its new $22.6 million rhino care center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide a spacious habitat for rhinos while offering visitors immersive and interactive experiences.

The center, part of the larger Adventure Africa habitat, spans approximately 100,000 square feet. The outdoor area occupies more than a third of that space, giving the animals ample room to graze. The project modernizes a facility originally built in the 1950s.

Zoo officials say the upgrade is critical for conservation efforts. The zoo recently welcomed two eastern black rhinos in November: a male named Kianga and a female named Zuri.

“Rhinos are an endangered species, so they’re here as part of a Species Survival Plan,” a zoo spokesperson explained. “Ultimately, Zuri and Kianga are together as potential breeding mates, so we hope for success.”

The $22.6 million project was funded largely through county funds, with the zoo’s nonprofit partner, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, contributing approximately $7.4 million.

Visitors can now clearly observe the rhinos — including during winter months — a notable improvement over the previous exhibit. The center also features hands-on learning opportunities.

“We have really great interactive experiences,” a zoo official said. “You can learn about other species of rhino at the Milwaukee County Zoo. We have eastern black rhinos, but you can learn about the other species that exist — their weight, their height — and even touch a rhino horn.”

One young visitor summed up the attraction simply: “Rhino.”

Zoo representatives described the opening as a “final kick-off celebration” marking the completion of construction. The new exhibit offers a significantly better viewing experience than before. As one parent noted, “I never really saw the rhinoceros as much before this exhibit. I felt like they were not outside much. And so this is nice having an exhibit to come in, especially in the winter months.”