Experts at Terra Natura, the animal and nature park in Benidorm introduce young Susto to another female rhino.
Susto caused quite a stir when he was born in Terra Natura in Benidorm in February 2012, as he is the only Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) to be born in captivity in Spain.
Before he was conceived his mother Shiwa shared her enclosure with another adult female called Nisha. Both females came to the Benidorm park in 2004 and were only apart when taken to mate and then during Shiwa’s pregnancy.
Since Susto’s birth, mother and calf have lived alone to avoid any possible attacks from Nisha but the time has now come for the two adults to be reunited and Susto introduced to other adult rhinos. Susto needs to adapt to other members of the species to be able to develop both physically and psychologically.
Mother and calf appeared calm when reunited with Nisha, but Nisha had other ideas and there was a moment of tension when she threatened the mother and calf.
Shiwa protected her offspring admirable and now staff from Terra Natura will pay close attention to their behavioural patterns over the next few days and will separate them again if the aggressive behaviour continues and then reintroduce them again until they become familiar with each other again.
Watch the video of Susto’s birth.
Read previous articles:-
Great Expectations in Terra Natura Benidorm
Terra Natura Benidorm confirms pregnancy of an Indian Rhino
Terra Natura Benidorm install a camera system to monitor the imminent birth of a baby rhino
Baby Indian Rhino born in Terra Natura Benidorm.
Benidorm Island has a legend which tells the story of Roldan, son of Princess Bertha, Charlemagne's sister, who fell in love with a beautiful young girl. The girl had a mysterious illness that had condemned her to death. She could only be saved if the last rays of the sun could pass the enormous Puig Campana Mountain. Roldan did not hesitate and armed with his sword “Durandarte” he attacked the giant mountain. The piece of rock fell into the sea forming the island.
The legend , like all legends is beautiful, but geologists affirm that the island, along with the smaller island La Llosa is a continuation of the neighbouring Sierra Helada mountain that continues down under the sea and surfaces again forming the two islands. The smaller island of La Llosa is almost completely submerged, at its highest point it is only 6 metres above the surface and its base is 30 metres deep.
Both islands are important marine reserves, protected because of the high ecological value to the area. The plant life and birds that nest on the island are protected, for example the Audouin gull and the Cormorant amongst others, some of them making their nest in the cracks and caves of the cliffs. Benidorm island is a paradise for divers as moray eels, octopus and sargo take refuge around its rocky base.
There is a path that enables you to walk to the top of the island and a restaurant opens daily, offering one of the best paellas in the area. Benidorm island is not inhabited but at the beginning of the 19th Century a few hundred people fled to the island to escape a cholera epidemic in the area.
The island is also known as the Journalists' Island. In the Town Hall archives there is a document dated 26th of May 1970 , signed by the then Mayor of Benidorm, Jaime Barcelo and the President of the "Associated Spanish Press Federation", Lucio del Alamo. In this document the Federation is appointed Patron of the island along with all Spanish journalists.
To purchase tickets for the boat trip to the Island or one of the other boat trips to Calpe or Tabarca Island, click here.
Take a look at some other photos of Benidorm Island
Watch our video of the boat trip to Benidorm Island.
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