Zoo Miami Donates $5,000 to Operation Rhino Shield

Global Conservation Force is the proud recipient of a $5,000 donation from Zoo Miami and their Greater One-horned Rhino (GOH) team. The funds are specifically earmarked for Operation Rhino Shield, our flagship rhino conservation initiative.

The donation was made possible through the film debut of Akuti, Zoo Miami’s resident Greater One-horned Rhino.  When a film production crew asked Zoo Miami Communications Director, Ron Magill, if they could film Akuti for a movie, he negotiated a donation to a rhino conservation organization of the GOH team’s choosing as part of the deal. Tentatively titled Omni Loop, the movie stars Mary-Louise Parker and features a scene with “the world’s last Greater One-horned Rhino.”

Akuti is a natural-born star!  With the guidance of Animal Care Manager, Mike Barnes, and Animal Care Specialist, Eduardo Marrero, Akuti hit all of her marks and the film production crew was able to capture all of the shots they needed. 

The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros is listed as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Historically, their range included India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. Today, the Greater One-horned Rhino is found only in India and Nepal, with 70% of the population residing in India’s Kaziranga National Park.

You can learn more about Akuti’s film debut in the recent Miami Herald article “A Miami rhino has a starring role in a new movie, and the film crew really needed her.”