Drivers of Variation in the Gut Microbiomes of Managed Southern White Rhinoceros

This project aims to investigate drivers of variation in the gut microbiome of human-managed southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). We propose that the gut microbiome diversity of managed southern white rhinoceros varies depending on the age, sex, diet, geographic location, and reproductive status, and changes to this diversity (due to stress, illness, changes in diet or location, etc.) may have implications for the health and reproductive success of those animals.