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Boom Boom the Cuddly Rhino

I usually don’t think of a rhinoceros as cuddly. Then I met Boom Boom, a rescued rhino who was almost part of a canned game hunt. Fortunately for Boom Boom, and all of us, he is enjoying life at Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, AZ.

The folks behind Out of Africa Wildlife Park created a safari experience and a safe haven for rhinos, big cats, giraffes, wolves, wildebeests, zebras and other animals. None of the animals at Out of Africa are trained, and the staff doesn’t subject them to performing tricks. Instead, they encourage social behavior that brings out their natural, playful instincts.

This video was created by Doug Bocaz-Larson, Poco Loco Productions and NMSU-Grants. Thanks for sharing Doug.

July 6th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: Pet News

11 comments to Boom Boom the Cuddly Rhino

  • Tweets that mention Boom Boom the Cuddly Rhino « Pet News and Views -- Topsy.com
    July 6, 2010 at 10:56 PM

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Michele Hollow, Michele Hollow. Michele Hollow said: Boom Boom the Cuddly Rhino A Feel Good Video http://shar.es/mURmb [...]

  • Mary-Alice@DogJaunt
    July 6, 2010 at 11:34 PM

    Oh, that’s charming — and what a great rescue story! Love it — thanks so much for sharing.

  • Rod@GoPetFriendly
    July 7, 2010 at 9:54 AM

    When we get to Arizona (this winter) we’ll have to check this place out!

  • S MORRIS
    July 7, 2010 at 5:34 PM

    Awww, WHAT A CUTIE!! give Boom Boom a HUG for me! HOW PRECIOUS!

  • beka
    July 8, 2010 at 4:42 PM

    Ah, thank you. raising mood all of us.

  • Jim@DoggyBytes
    July 8, 2010 at 7:10 PM

    What a fantastic video Michele. Animals are just amazing aren’t they? So glad that Boom Boom was saved and although he can’t be in his native environment, at least he appears to be living a good life.

    Is canned game hunting legal in the United States? Not sure how “shooting fish in a barrel” could be, but . . .

  • Michele
    July 8, 2010 at 9:24 PM

    Jim, According to HSUS, “most states allow canned hunting. At this time, no federal law governs canned hunting. The Animal Welfare Act does not regulate game preserves, hunting preserves, or canned hunts. Although the Endangered Species Act protects species of animals listed as endangered or threatened, it does not prohibit private ownership of endangered animals and may even allow the hunting of endangered species.”
    “Canned hunts are private trophy hunting ranches, also referred to as “shooting preserves” or “game ranches.” Canned hunts offer their customers an opportunity to kill confined exotic and/or native species for a price. Though not all canned hunt facilities are the same, here are a few things they all have in common:
    Animals cannot escape. Canned hunts may range from a few to thousands of acres, but there is always a fence. On large ranches, guides drive hunters out to feed plots or bait stations that the animals are known to visit at certain times of the day. Small ranches offer animals in fenced areas where the hunter may approach the animals on foot, pick his target up close, take aim, and shoot.”
    I don’t like hunting at all, and I’ve met hunters who are AGAINST canned hunting. According to these hunters, the animals don’t stand a chance.

  • Karen Friesecke
    July 8, 2010 at 10:22 PM

    It’s a cute video and all, but is getting into an enclosure with rhino really that good an idea? I’m sure that these are not proper protocols for handling such a large animal. Rhinos are not domesticated animals and like wild animals, are unpredictable. It just takes one time that Boom Boom decides that he doesn’t like the caretaker and she’s dead.

    Sure I’m glad that boom Boom was saved from being hunted, but that caretaker should save herself from a possible tragedy.

  • Michele
    July 9, 2010 at 9:36 AM

    Hi Karen,
    Yes, Boom Boom is a wild animal. The trainer is well aware, and knows how to care for him. He is really quite docile.

  • Christine
    March 2, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    I remember Boom Boom from my many visits to the Catskill Game Farm in NY where he lived for many, many years. My parents brought us there as little kids many times and as an adult, I brought my own children summer after summer. When the Game Farm had to close after nearly 80 years in business, we visited one last time and left in tears. So many wonderful memories. I can’t tell you what it means to me to see Boom Boom in such a wonderful environment, surrounded by love and affection. He is clearly so happy and is such a gentle old soul. God Bless him. And bless all the people involved in saving his life, especially Marc Ecko who made it all possible.

  • Walt and Pat Stein
    May 17, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    Our story is much the same as Christine’s . We were fortunate enough to get some great pics of Boom Boom at his old home just prior to the game farm closing . My now adult son,and daughter saw him when they were kids ,and now their children too, are seeing him at his new home in AZ. We all have to be thankfull for the person whom was responsible for saving him ,and his new keepers .