A zoo in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, has introduced a couple of white rhinoceroses, one of the world's most endangered species with only some 600 found worldwide, from South Africa as a special gift for residents during the Spring Festival, which falls on February 18.

The animals arrived at the zoo last Thursday. It took nearly 3 hours for keepers to help the couple settle into their new home with the help of a crane.

The two rhinoceroses must remain in quarantine for several days and will not be shown to the public until next week, keepers said, hoping locals can offer good names for them before the Spring Festival.

(China Daily February 9, 2007)