Shandu, the Buried Rhino

CURRENT LOCATION - Aug 2017 - Now
Monarto Safari Park, 63 Monarto Rd, Monarto SA 5254
Visit the sculpture, click for map >

After one year of preparation, hundreds of sponsors, and two huge days of installation, the world’s largest rhino sculpture, Shandu, the Buried Rhino was placed on Sydney’s famous Tamarama Beach as part of the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition in 2016. “Shandu means change in South Africa and this was one rhino who lived up to his name,” Marc says. Shandu has now been installed into Monarto Zoo, the world’s largest open-range zoo. “We’re thrilled that Shandu has found his new home in Monarto Zoo,” Marc says. Shandu can be found soaking up in the rays in a gorgeous spot outside the visitor centre situated between the chimps and yellow-footed rock wallabies. “Monarto is a very rhino-focused place,” Gillie explains. “They even have a rhino for a logo so we know he will be very happy there next to his chimp and wallaby friends.” Not only did millions of visitors come to see Shandu but thousands of photos were uploaded to social media. Shandu won both the Allen's People’s Choice Award and Kids' Choice Award. This is only the third time in the 20-year history of Sculpture by the Sea Bondi that an artwork has been awarded both, as voted by the public. Gillie and Marc donated all their prize money to The Australian Rhino Project (ARP). The ARP aims to relocate 80 endangered Southern White Rhinoceros to Australia in an effort to safeguard the species. Besides nationwide media coverage, Shandu received worldwide media exposure from publications including the UK’s Telegraph and BBC UK. Every single TV channel in Australia featured Shandu too. All this press meant the ARP were flooded with calls of offer to volunteer. The artists managed to raise a massive $17,000 altogether to go towards the ARP.