A rare unicorn arrives at Edinburgh Zoo
Posted 1 Apr 2026
A magical new species has arrived at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo ahead of Easter weekend, a rare greater one-horned unicorn called Jai.
The species, known as Rhinoceros unicornis, is vulnerable to extinction with only 3,500 estimated to remain in the wild. Jai arrived at the zoo safely following months of careful planning by the wildlife conservation charity.
David Field, RZSS CEO, said: “We hope Jai’s arrival will help inspire visitors of all ages to connect with nature and believe in the importance of protecting the world’s most extraordinary species.
“While Jai has only just arrived, our animal care team can already see his personality starting to shine. It’s clear he will add a little bit of magic to every visit to Edinburgh Zoo.”
Jai will spend the day getting used to his surroundings before being fully visible to visitors this weekend.
Book tickets to see Edinburgh Zoo’s new residentNotes to Editors
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Hi-res images and video available at https://we.tl/t-D0J5tfC363WJ0x80
Please credit RZSS
Notes to editors:
- Happy April Fools’ Day from everyone at RZSS – while RZSS has in fact welcomed a new greater one-horned rhinoceros rather than a unicorn the above information is factually correct
- Jai has moved to Edinburgh Zoo from Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland
- He is the first greater one-horned rhino ever to be born in Ireland and currently weighs about the same as a hatchback car
- Greater one-horned rhinos are classed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species having declined to near extinction in the early 1900s due to habitat loss, human-rhino conflicts and hunting
- Edinburgh Zoo has a long history of caring for the species, with Qabid being the most recent resident before moving on to Eindhoven Zoo as part of the European breeding programme
About the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (rzss.org.uk)
- The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world which protects, values and loves nature
- Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature, learn about the challenges facing wildlife and discover how we harness our expertise in conservation science and animal care alongside the unique power of the RZSS family – our teams, supporters and partners – to save animals from extinction
