![]() This device is made up of a plastic pool buoy on the end of a pole. For young Yabi, the first behavior she is learning is called “target.” This important behavior will lay the foundation for all of the other training to come and is a behavior that many of the other animals at the Zoo know as well! The caretakers initially presented a target pole to Yabi. These are just a few food rewards that the caretakers use to positively reinforce Yabi’s different behaviors. Although Yabi is still reliant on mom’s milk for nutrients, she has taken a liking to cantaloupes, apples and even oranges. The next progression in the training process began in January when Yabi started exploring solid foods. Training these behaviors is a long process that includes many steps, but Yabi is proving to be a very quick learner! Some of these behaviors include opening the mouth, presenting different sides of the body, stepping onto a scale, and voluntarily accepting blood draws and injections. This task would be nearly impossible without a training program in place. Even at young age, rhinos have a great deal of power! Because of a rhino’s size and strength, training allows caretakers to safely get an up-close look at these animals to ensure that they are healthy. Tactile sensations are quite reinforcing for rhinos, but these interactions always occur with safety in mind. So, how exactly do you train a baby rhino? To start, caretakers created a positive relationship with Yabi through lots of rubs, pats and scratches! Despite its tough, armored appearance, a rhino’s skin is actually very sensitive. This training will be vital for the continued care of this soon-to-be, 3,000-pound rhino! Today, at just four months old, Yabi is already beginning to bond and train with her caretakers. ![]() ![]() Yabi will continue to nurse from mom for up to a year, as she continues to grow and develop. Guests can often find her wallowing in the mud or napping in a warm, sunny spot. Never far from mom, Yabi gains a little more confidence and independence every day as she continues to explore her habitat in Sanctuary Asia. She is the second calf born to mom, Niki, but she more closely resembles her late father, Arun. At just over 550 pounds, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s youngest Indian rhino is growing up quickly! Yabi was born on October 23, 2020, weighing in at approximately 154 pounds. ![]()
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