15-Dec-09 6:00 PM CST

SOMEBODY TO LOVE: White Rhino headed to Knoxville Zoo

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – A new female White Rhinoceros will arrive at the Knoxville Zoo Tuesday morning.

Maggie is a 14-year-old white rhino who will come to Knoxville from The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio. She is headed to East Tennessee based on a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan, which believes Maggie is a good genetic match for breeding with Mondo.

“Rhino match-making isn’t an exact science,” said Lisa New, director of animal collections at the zoo. “We’ll make the introductions at Maggie’s pace and then hopefully there will be interest between Mondo and Maggie. Mondo has been quite successful with the females in the past, and we’re pretty sure he’s still got it.”

Mondo last became a father in 2004.

Maggie joins him and three other members of the herd including Mayor Bill, Dolly and Polly. She’ll be given time to acclimate to the zoo before being introduced to her fellow white rhinos after a few days.

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