Two rhinos from Germany arrive in Mexico for breeding program

Two female white rhinoceroses, Salma and Moana, born at the Serengeti-Park in Hodenhagen, Germany, have arrived at the Zoológico Guadalajara in Mexico. They reached their destination on October 21, 2026, following a flight from Paris.

This transfer marks the first time white rhinoceroses have been moved from Europe to Mexico as part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) managed by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The two German rhinos will join two other animals—a female named Lewa from France and a male named Wami from France—to form a new breeding group in a specially constructed facility in Guadalajara.

Ingo Schmidinger, the zoological director of Serengeti-Park, accompanied the animals during the flight to monitor their condition. The mission aims to increase genetic diversity and support the conservation of the species in human care.