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The Rio Grande Zoo’s baby rhino now has a name: Chopper.
chopper
The 214-pound rhino, who arrived at the zoo about two weeks ago, was named after Jimmy “Chopper” Abalos, who was active in the local softball community. He sponsored many Little League teams called the Rhinos, which was also the name of his adult softball team.
The Albuquerque Biological Park, which includes the zoo, held an online vote to determine the name, and Chopper finished first with more than 500 votes. “Linus” was in second place with more than 300 votes.
Chopper is spending his first few months at the BioPark behind the scenes to get accustomed to zoo staff and the zoo’s three adult rhinos — Bertha, Lulu and Bernie.
-- Email the reporter at dmckay@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-823-3566
