At The Wilds, conservation is built on collaboration, shared expertise, and a deep respect for the animals entrusted to our care. That philosophy came to life during a recent Rhino Hoof Health Course, when professionals from across the country gathered on our grounds to advance one of the most critical and complex aspects of rhinoceros care: hoof health.
This multi-day course brought together animal care teams, veterinarians, and subject-matter experts for immersive, hands-on learning focused on improving long-term outcomes for rhinos in human care.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Purpose
The Wilds has a long history of advancing conservation through research, professional training, and cross-institution collaboration. As one of North America’s largest conservation centers, our landscape and expertise allow us to support specialized learning opportunities that extend far beyond our gates.
That mission aligns closely with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program (ZHTP), an organization dedicated to advancing hoof care education across zoological institutions. ZHTP was created to address a long-standing gap in formal training for hoofstock species, particularly in understanding how routine wear, or lack thereof, impacts long-term animal health.
In their native ranges, hoofed animals naturally travel long distances across varied terrain, helping maintain healthy hoof structure. In managed care, that natural wear does not always occur. Over time, subtle changes can lead to significant internal issues if left unaddressed. ZHTP’s work focuses on early recognition, prevention, and informed intervention to support long-term soundness and mobility.
Inside the 2025 Rhino Hoof Health Course
This year’s course at The Wilds welcomed ten participants from across the United States--including one student from Hawaii--along with one member of The Wilds’ own Animal Management team. Together, they took part in an intensive, hands-on learning experience led by ZHTP instructors.
In addition to live animal work, the course incorporated in-depth anatomical study. ZHTP brought rhino limbs from both greater one-horned and southern white rhinos, generously donated by partner institutions, allowing participants to examine internal structures and better understand how trimming decisions directly affect the foot’s anatomy and long-term health.
Each rhinoceros involved in the course was anesthetized and monitored by The Wilds’ Conservation Medicine and Animal Management teams, ensuring the highest standards of safety and wellbeing. During this training, scientists from the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo also took advantage of this time to conduct semen collection while also contributing their expertise in reproductive health and sustainability.
Together, these components created a rare, comprehensive learning environment that bridged theory, hands-on practice, and collaborative problem-solving.
Building Expertise for the Future
The Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program offers multiple educational pathways, including courses for zoo professionals and a specialized program approved by the American College of Zoological Medicine that provides 45 continuing education credits for veterinarians. These programs cover hoofstock species ranging from equids to artiodactyls and are designed to build a foundational understanding of distal limb anatomy, hoof pathology, and evidence-based trimming techniques.
This 2025 course marked ZHTP’s first program dedicated exclusively to rhinoceros hoof care, representing an important step forward in advancing species-specific knowledge and training.
Looking Ahead
The partnership between The Wilds, the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program, and CREW reflects a shared commitment to science-based care, collaboration, and continuous learning. By opening our campus as a place of education and discovery, The Wilds helps ensure that the people caring for some of the world’s most iconic species have the tools, training, and confidence they need to succeed.
The next Rhino Hoof Health Course, which is approaching capacity, will take place in November 2026, at The Wilds.
Professionals interested in learning more about hoof care can visit the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program website.
