Meet AJ the Rhino, Blank Park Zoo's Newest Addition

Meet AJ the rhino, Blank Park Zoo's newest addition

Ajani Joe comes to Blank Park Zoo from the Cincinnati Zoo, where he became popular for his spunky personality and love of mud puddles.

A new rhino is calling Blank Park Zoo home

DES MOINES, Iowa -- There's a new rhino at Des Moines' Blank Park Zoo. The zoo announced Wednesday that four-year-old male "AJ" had joined the fold. The eastern black rhino comes from the Cincinnati Zoo. His more formal name. Ajani Joe, means "he who wins the struggle" in Swahili. AJ the Eastern Black Rhino (Courtesy: Blank Park Zoo)AJ the Eastern Black Rhino (Courtesy: Blank Park Zoo)AJ the Eastern Black Rhino (Courtesy: Blank Park Zoo)AJ the E…

Blank Park Zoo Welcomes New Male Eastern Black Rhino

Critically endangered eastern black rhino arrives from Cincinnati Zoo to support breeding efforts and inspire conservation DES MOINES, Iowa (June 11, 2025) – A new male rhino has arrived at Blank Park Zoo. Known simply as “AJ,” Ajani Joe was born in Cincinnati on August 21, 2020. His name means “he who wins the struggle” in Swahili. AJ will play a vital role in helping the zoo maintain a genetically diverse breeding population under the Associat…