December 9, 2025
County Executive David Crowley Unveils New Rhino Care Center at the Milwaukee County Zoo
$22.6 million investment led by Crowley administration emphasizes recreation, education and conservation
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley joined local leaders at the Milwaukee County Zoo to celebrate the new Ladish Co. Foundation Rhino Care Center and Robert Dohmen Hippo Indoor Haven, representing the completion of the Zoo’s Adventure Africa area.
The new Rhino Care Center will serve as the home of two Eastern Black Rhinos, bringing this critically endangered species back to the Zoo for the first time since 2021. Adventure Africa also features the Robert Dohmen Hippo Indoor Haven for the Zoo's hippo with surrounding yards created for zebras and red river hogs.
“The Milwaukee County Zoo is a vibrant hub that brings people together from across Wisconsin, and the return of the Eastern black rhinos will elevate that experience,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “The new Adventure Africa habitat will allow us to deliver new, unique experiences to residents, families, and visitors, while strengthening the Zoo’s nationally recognized role as a leader in animal stewardship. I am proud that this investment reflects our commitment to ensuring the Milwaukee County Zoo will remain a premier destination for recreation, education and conservation in the years ahead.”
The Rhino Care Center and Hippo Indoor Haven are the final phase in the completion of the Zoo's Adventure Africa capital project, which began when the Elephant Care Center and mixed species habitats opened in 2019 as Phase I. Phase II marked the renovation to the Dohmen Family Foundation Hippo Haven outdoor habitat with underwater viewing in 2020. The total cost of this final phase was $22.6 million, with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee contributing to nearly $7.4 million of that total.
The 61,000 square feet building finished construction in September 2025 and provides the ability to view the animals inside during the winter months. The Rhino Care Center also creates flexibility for how the MCZ’s animal care team provides for the animals; the floor is a soft substrate meant to protect their feet, while a rock wall on the rhino side provides natural enrichment options. Hippo Indoor Haven also has a pool and allows MCZ’s hippo, Happy, to be eye level with guests.
“This is a proud day for the Milwaukee County Zoo as we open our Ladish Co. Foundation Rhino Care Center and give the public an opportunity to welcome Eastern black rhinos back to the Zoo,” said Amos Morris, Executive Zoo Director. “It is a great accomplishment to conclude the Adventure Africa capital project and I’m looking forward to seeing guests get closer than ever to our animals and learn about what makes them so special.”
“I’m thrilled to celebrate the completion of the final phase of Adventure Africa, which represents investments totaling more than $50 million combined from the County and the Society,” said Jodi Gibson, Zoological Society of Milwaukee President and CEO. “An idea is just an idea until someone rolls up their sleeves to do the hard work of making it come to life. We are extremely grateful for the team of professionals who worked together to convert our ideas into reality.”
The former rhino habitat was built in 1950 and no longer met modern zoological standards, prompting the creation of the Rhino Care Center which prioritizes animal care and wellbeing, aligning with research-supported best practices for habitat design that affords the best offerings in overall animal care. All areas extend the possibility of conducting behavioral, nutritional, and reproductive assessments.
The Zoo’s new pair of rhinos, Zuri and Kianga, arrived in late October and spent time in quarantine and acclimating to their new space in the Rhino Care Center. They have been paired at MCZ due to a breeding recommendation for the Eastern Black Rhino SSP. The species overall is classified as Critically Endangered according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
More information is available at milwaukeezoo.org.
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