Stan the White Rhino
Rafiki the Elephant
Courtesy of:
Zoo & animal photos and info:The North Carolina Zoo
Tommo the Grizzly Bear
Rafiki the African Elephant
Rafiki is the matriarch of our herd here at the North Carolina Zoo. She is 39 years old and adores spending time out on the habitat with all of our other elephants. She enjoys spending time with her keepers and one of her favorite activities to participate in is painting. Rafiki has a few different techniques when it comes to painting. She can paint with a brush by holding it with her trunk or she can “spray paint” by blowing paint onto the canvas via a tube.
“Stan the Rhino Print”
“Grizzly Bear Tommo Print: Back Foot”
“African Elephant Rafiki Painting”
Stan The White Rhino:
Stanley rhino was a longtime resident of the NC Zoo arriving in 1987 from Ohio. Once he became post-reproductive, he left the breeding herd to begin his new career as a featured animal ambassador for the zoo. Over the 8 years he lived in his retirement barn he introduced hundreds of guests to the charms of SWR and spread a message of conservation to thousands more through his online presence on Facebook. He was always in a good mood, loved meeting new people, and thoroughly enjoyed being doted upon by animal keepers. The wide lip of the white rhino is excellent for grazing but not very helpful when painting. However, the texture and curves of his hind end made an unmistakable rump print. Applying the paint to his tail and cheeks was very similar to the hand-rubbed mud baths keepers would give him in the winter to protect his skin. This ‘spa-treatment’ was also able to raise money to support conservation of his counterparts in the wild and allowed his fans to be a part of the rhino warriors team. We had to say goodbye to Stan in February of 2019 at 50 years old. Every time I see one of his rump-prints I remember all the reasons we do this work and one of the kindest souls ever encountered.
Tommo The Grizzly Bear:
Tommo was born wild in Montana in February of 1990. After being deemed a “nuisance bear”, due to him being drawn too close to people, USFWS brought him to live at the North Carolina Zoo in 1995. Tommo is a wonderful, silly bear full of personality. He enjoys rolling around, swimming in his pool and napping underneath his waterfall. He is very motivated to train and learn behaviors that help with his medical care. Tommo also loves delicious treats, like honey! He tops out around 750 lbs and grows in a beautiful grizzled coat every winter. This handsome bear is a great ambassador for his species and is well loved by his keepers and guests!
“Grizzly Bear Tommo Print: Front Paw”
