Rhinos spotted through the streets of Chester

CHESTER Zoo is leading the charge for the Rhino Mania event with a specially-themed bus.

As part of the public art event, Chester Zoo, Cheshire West & Chester Council and Chester Renaissance have launched a rhino-themed bus to operate from Upton’s Park and Ride next to the zoo.

Alasdair McNee, Corporate Director of Chester Zoo, said: “Rhino Mania is a fantastic event that has attracted incredible attention with Cestrians and visitors alike. We hope the special bus with a rhino seemingly bursting from its side will capture the imagination of Chester visitors in the same way that the rhino parade is doing.”

Councillor Lynn Riley, Community and Environment Portfolio holder from Cheshire West and Chester Council, said the Park and Ride was a clean, green, stress-free way to travel into the centre of Chester.

“I am sure that the spectacular rhino design will create a positive impact and help to draw attention to Park and Ride as a great option for residents and visitors to travel into the city to enjoy its many attractions,” she added.

Rhino Mania has hit the streets, showcasing up to 62 5ft high rhinos along the streets of Chester and highlighting the artistic talents of the area. There are a further 116 baby rhinos designed by Chester’s primary schools.

The trail goes through the city and Chester’s neighbourhoods and out to the zoo. Rhinos Ecko designed by American entrepreneur Marc Ecko and painted by artist Mike Snowdon, and Splodge painted by artist Janet Fishwick, can be found at the end of the trail at the main entrance to the zoo.

Each rhino has been painted by local and regional professional artists and community groups, with many of them being auctioned off to raise funds for Chester Zoo’s Black Rhino Field Project in Kenya and Tanzania and Ellesmere Port’s Hospice of the Good Shepherd at the end of the event.