On the Processing and Mounting of a Skeleton of a White Rhinoceros, Ceratotherium sinum

The skeletal remains of a white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium sinum, were recovered from the Leofoo Village Zoo in March, 2003. This white rhinoceros had been raised in the zoo for 30 years until its death, yet without any definite cause of death. Processing and mounting of the specimen is reported herein with a detailed characteristic description and morphological measurements. The profile length of the mounted skeleton is 348 cm and the shoulder height is 147.5 cm. According to the appearance of very heavy wear in the maxillary dentition with channel fully closed through to dentine and small patches of enamel left, this white rhinoceros was approximately an aged individual at the age of about 33-38 years old. The skeleton was supported by two main vertical metal pillars with four secondary pillars for limbs and connecting its skull, vertebrae and pelvis. Not only for educational exhibition, the restored whole skeleton of the white rhinoceros will also contribute the study of comparative anatomy with other extinct species from fragmentary fossils.