Zoo prepares to send rare Czech-bred rhinos to Kenya

The zoo in Dvůr Králové is preparing to fly four of its extremely rare Northern White rhinos (of only eight in the world) to Kenya at the weekend in an attempt to try and save the sub-species from extinction. The idea is to enhance breeding conditions for the rhino. But the plan has come under criticism by those who fear the transfer will be too risky - given the temperature differences between Kenya and Central Europe. The director of the Dvůr Králové zoo has defended the move saying the animals deserved a last chance in their natural habitat. Dvůr Králové has six Northern White rhinos in all, while the Wild Animal Park in San Diego, California has two. The Czech rhinos are the only ones to have reproduced in captivity. The animals are a sub-species of the White Rhino.