Without anesthesia and without force: how they took blood from a 2.5-ton rhinoceros at the Safari

At the Ramat Gan Safari, a blood sample was taken for the first time from Rainy the rhinoceros, weighing about 2.5 tons, without anesthesia or coercion, but through prolonged training, trust, and positive reinforcement only.

At the Ramat Gan Safari, they succeeded for the first time in taking a blood sample from Rainy the rhinoceros, weighing about 2.5 tons, without using anesthesia or force. The process was made possible thanks to prolonged training based on building trust, positive reinforcement, and creating a common language between the handlers and the rhinoceros. Shira, the savannah manager, took the sample after Rainy voluntarily came to the designated station. The Safari emphasized that there are no punishments in the training, and the animals can choose whether to cooperate. The blood sample will allow for medical, genetic, and fertility tests, and if necessary, help tailor medical treatment. Similar training is also conducted with elephants, giraffes, monkeys, bears, tigers, and other species at the Safari.

Without anesthesia and without force: how they took blood from a 2.5-ton rhinoceros at the Safari