San Diego Zoo Global conservationists reared young desert tortoises for one to two years before the planned release—a strategy referred to as “headstarting,” which provides a safe environment during their most vulnerable period, before translocating to the native habitat.

Today, two southern white rhino calves played, chased impalas, and met giraffes and African crowned cranes as they explored the expansive African Plains habitat at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park—and at the same time, two greater one-horned rhino calves jogged and gave themselves mud baths in their Asian Savanna habitat.

Southern white rhino Edward turned 1 year old today (July 28, 2020), and a birthday celebration was held in his honor at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center.