Weighing around 1.5 tons, Bo is a magnificent example of her species. Like many rhinos, she enjoys wallowing in mud, which helps cool her body and protects her from insects. For this reason, her habitat includes large mud pools where she can comfortably express this important natural behavior. Bo is usually most active in the early morning and late afternoon, while the warmer hours of the day are often spent resting peacefully.
A typical day for Bo begins with an enormous meal of around 90 kilograms of fresh grass, supplemented with vegetables such as carrots, green beans, and yardlong beans, along with added vitamins and minerals to support her health. Among all her treats, Bo is especially fond of corn on the cob, which also plays a special role in her daily interactions with the zoo staff.
At Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens, animal care is never based on force. For an animal of Bo’s size and strength, trust and cooperation are essential. Her keepers work with her through positive reinforcement, rewarding calm and cooperative behavior. When Bo stands still for skin checks, foot observations, or body care, she is rewarded with pieces of corn. Over time, these small but meaningful moments help her understand that working with her keepers is safe and positive. In this way, trust is built patiently, one interaction at a time.
Many visitors are fascinated by Bo’s horns, often pausing to admire them. Yet one important truth must be shared: rhino horn is not a miracle medicine. It is made of keratin, the same material found in human hair and fingernails. Misconceptions surrounding rhino horn have fueled illegal poaching for decades, pushing many wild rhino populations into serious decline.
In the wild, rhinos are often solitary animals. Although their eyesight is relatively poor, their hearing and sense of smell are highly developed, making them naturally alert to changes in their environment. That is why moments when Bo stands calmly and allows her keepers to care for her are so meaningful. They are not ordinary moments, but the result of patience, consistency, and a welfare-based approach grounded in respect.
Bo is therefore not only a beloved resident of the Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens, but also an ambassador for a species facing ongoing threats in the wild. As you leave the rhino habitat, we hope you carry with you not only the memory of Bo’s remarkable presence, but also a deeper understanding that rhinos are more than symbols of strength. They are living, feeling animals that urgently need our protection.
