Foot problems are a leading welfare and mortality concern for captive rhinoceroses, requiring proactive management, appropriate substrates, and regular veterinary care.
Rhinoceros foot health is a welfare issue unique to captivity: wild rhinos rarely develop serious foot pathology because continuous locomotion on soft, varied terrain naturally wears hooves to healthy lengths. Concrete and hard rubber substrates create abnormal wear patterns and pressure distributions that cause pain and predispose to cracks and infections. Progressive foot deformity impairs locomotion, further reducing activity and accelerating joint degeneration. Welfare-focused zoos are redesigning rhino habitats to maximize soft substrate access, provide larger exercise areas, and incorporate daily training routines that encourage movement. Positive reinforcement training for voluntary foot inspection dramatically reduces the need for risky chemical immobilization.