Guidance Document  
 
A guidance document issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Zoo Rhinoceroses  
ZOORHINO.SPE  
30 March 2023  
 Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  1 of 12 
 
 
 Title 
Guidance Document: Zoo Rhinoceroses . 
About this document  
This guidance document contains information about acceptable ways of ensuring compliance with the 
requirements in t he Import Health Standard ( IHS): Zoo Rhinoceroses . 
Any guidance on how to comply with the applicable requirements may not be the only way to achieve 
compliance. Stakeholders are encouraged to discuss departures from the approaches outlined in this 
guidance document with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to avoid expending resources on the development of alternative approaches which may later be considered unsuitable. 
The term “must” is not typically used in guidance. In this particular document if the term “must” is used, it is 
used in the context of quoting or paraphrasing the requirements set out in the related IHS: Zoo Rhinoceroses . 
Related requirements 
Import Health Standard: Zoo Rhinoceroses  
Document  history 
Refer to Appendix 1.  
Contact Details  
For further information and questions about this guidance document, please contact:  
 Animal Imports  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industr ies 
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
 
Disclaimer 
This guidance does not constitute, and should not be regarded as, legal advice . While every effort has been 
made to ensure the information in this guidance is accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industries does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation , or opinion that may be  
present, however it may have occurred.  
Copyright  
Crown copyright ©. This copyright work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand 
licence. In essence, you are free to copy, distribute and adapt the work, as long as you attribute the work to the Ministry for Primary 
Industries and abide by the other licence terms. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/nz/ . 
Please note that no governmental emblem, logo or Coat of Arms may be used in any way which infringes any provision of the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 or would infringe such provision if the relevant use occurred within New Zealand. Attribution to the Ministry for Primary Industries should be in written form and not by reproduction of any such emblem, logo or Coat of Arms.
 
Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  2 of 12 
 
 
 Contents  Page 
1 Purpose  3 
2 Background  3 
3 Definitions  3 
4 Importer Responsibilities  3 
5 Guidance  3 
5.1 Equivalence  3 
5.2 Incorporation of material by reference  3 
5.3 Exporting country systems and certification  4 
5.4 Diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatment  4 
5.5 Inspection and verification  4 
6 Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms 6 
6.1 Model veterinary certificate  6 
Appendix 1 – Document History  12 
 
  Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  3 of 12 
 
 
 1 Purpose  
(1) This guidance document has been issued to accompany the IHS:  Zoo Rhinoceroses . This guidance 
document should be read in conjunction with that IHS.  
(2) This document includes:  
a) A model veterinary certificate.  
b) Links to negotiated country -specific veterinary ce rtificates.  
2 Background  
(1) The IHS:  Zoo Rhinoceroses , which this guidance document accompanies, contains generic import 
requirements. These are the rules to manage the biosecurity risk of importing  zoo rhinoceroses  from 
Australia, the European Union , Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom , and the United States of 
America  that can meet the requirements of the IHS and in doing so meet New Zealand’s appropriate 
level of protection.  
(2) This guidance document contains a model veterinary certificate and the agreed veterinary certification 
for trade in  zoo rhinoceroses . This ve terinary certificate represents what will be certified prior to 
exporting consignments of  zoo rhinoceroses .  
3 Definitions  
(1) Refer to Schedule  2 of the IHS: Zoo Rhinoceroses . 
4 Importer responsibilities  
(1) The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of zoo rhinoceroses  will be 
recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and any regulations made under that Act. All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage , and obtaining a biosecurity clearance 
must b e covered by the importer or agent.  
5 Guidance  
5.1 Equivalence  
(1) MPI may accept an alternative method, system or process that can be shown to achieve the biosecurity requirements of the IHS  (i.e. equivalence).  
(2) MPI’s preference is that the exporting country’s Competent Authority makes equivalence requests. Equivalence requests can be lodged with animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
. 
(3) Information may be added to the import permit where specific equivalence measures are approved by 
MPI. The import permit serves as evidence of equivalence decisions and will be written as specific  
notes in the special conditions section of the permit.  
(4) Apply online for an import permit at the following weblink: https://animalplantimportpermit.mpi.govt.nz/  
5.2 Incorporation of material by reference 
(1) Incorporation by reference means that standards, guidelines, or lists are incorporated into the import 
health standard  and they form part of the requirements. This is done because technical documents are 
too large or impractical to include in the IHS . Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  4 of 12 
 
 
 (2) If the IHS  says that section 142O(1) of the Act does not apply, this means that importers need to refer 
to the most recent version of any standards, guidelines , or lists that are incorporated by reference in 
the IHS . 
5.3 Exporting country systems and certification 
5.3.1 Recognition of  exporting systems  
(1) The exporting sys tems of Australia, the European Union, Singapore, South Africa, the United  Kingdom , 
and the United States of America have met MPI’s general exporting requirements, but some specific  
requirements based on the World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code (the 
Code), s ection 3, titled “Quality of Veterinary Services ” may be requested by MPI regarding the 
capabilities and preferences of the exporting country’s Competent Authority.  
5.3.2 Agreed  country -specific veterinary certificates  
(1) Requests from exporting countries and zoos to negotiate veterinary certification for the import of zoo 
rhinoceroses  into New Zealand will be prioritised according to MPI resources available at the time of 
application.  
(2) A model veterinary certificate is provided in this guidance document and can be used by the 
Competent Authority and exporting zoo as a reference for country -specific veterinary certificate 
negotiation.  
(3) All country- specific veterinary certificates agreed between an exporting country’s Competent Authority 
and MPI are included in the table below:  
 
Country  Link to certificate  S27 CTO direction 
#  Date agreed  Date applicable 
for use  
     
(4) Country -specific veterinary certificates with equivalent measures will be recorded with a number 
relevant to a chief technical officer (CTO) direction under section 27(1)d(iii) of the Act, to enable  border 
staff to clear the goods and record the number in the MPI database.  
(5) Currently there are no country -specif ic veterinary certificates for  zoo rhinoceroses  imports into 
New Zealand.   
5.4 Diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatment  
(1) MPI lists all approved diagnostic tests and vaccines in MPI’s Approved Diagnostic Tests, Vaccines, 
Treatments and Post- Arrival Testing Laboratories for Animal Import Health Standards  (MPI -S TD -
TVTL).  
(2) If World Organisation for Animal Health ( WOA H) re commended diagnostic tests and vaccines are 
listed, details can be found in the WOAH  Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines  found on their 
website: Terrestrial Manual Online Access - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health . 
(3) Prior to agreement of any country -specific veterinary certificates, there may not be any approved 
diagnostic tests or vaccines  listed in MPI- STD-TVTL . These will be agree d during certificate 
negotiation and then added to MPI- STD-TVTL.   
5.5 Inspection and verification  
(1) On arrival, all documentation accompanying the consignment will be verified by an inspector.  Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  5 of 12 
 
 
 (2) Any containers not intact on arrival will be required to be made secure before the consignment is 
moved to the transitional facility. Any material which has leake d from the container will be destroyed at  
the port of entry . 
(3) Following biosecurity authorisation, the zoo rhinoceroses will proceed directly to the transition al facility 
named on the import permit.  
(4) Inspectors can inspect and verify due to their authorised powers under the Act.  
(5) These requirements are independent of the IHS requirements.  
  Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  6 of 12 
 
 
 6 Specified requirements for identified risk organisms  
6.1 Model veterinary certificate  
(1) Below is a model veterinary certificate for trade in  zoo rhinoceroses  from Australia, the Europe an 
Union, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom , and the United States of America into New 
Zealand.  This can be used by the exporting Competent Authority and zoo as a reference for country -
specific veterinary certificate negotiation, but a certificate must be agreed by MPI before trade can 
commence.  
(2) This model meets the requirements of the IHS .  
 
Exporting country:  Certificate reference number : 
 
1. Consignor (exporter) : 
Name:  
Address:  
 
 2. Competent authority:  
 
 
3. Consignee (importer) : 
Name:  
Address:  
  4. Country of origin:  
ISO Code:  
 
5. Country of destination: NEW ZEALAND  
ISO Code: NZL 
 
6. Date of departure:  
 7. Place of shipment:  
 
 
8. Place of origin:  
Name:  
Address:  
  9. Means of transport : 
☐   Aeroplane 
☐   Ship 
 Identification:  
 
10. Expected border post:  
 
 11. Description of commodity:  
12. Total number of animals : 
 13. Country of transit/transhipment (if applicable):  
 
 
14. Permit number:  
 
  
15. Identification of commodity:  
 
Species  (white rhinoceros  
(Ceratotherium simum) or 
black rhinoceros ( Diceros 
bicornis )) - delete as 
applicable  Microchip number  Microchip location  Age Sex 
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
  Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  7 of 12 
 
 
 Exporting country:  Certificate reference number : 
 
I, the undersigned Official V eterinarian , certif y that the animals described above satisfy the following 
requirements:  
Exporting zoo premises  
(1) The animal s were  resident in one or more approved, licensed , or registered zoos or wildlife parks in 
the exporting country since birth or for at least 12 months immediately before export . 
(2) The premises ensured separation of the animals from other animal populations not of the same 
health status.  
(3) The premises in which the  animal s for export resided were  under direct veterinary supervision, and 
a health monitoring programme was followed including necropsies, and microbiological and 
parasitological testing.   
(4) The exporting premises was free of quarantine restrictions for the 90 days before the date of export . 
 
Pre-export isolation and inspection  
(5) Each animal was:  
a) Held in pre -export isolation for a minimum of 30 days before  the date of export ; and 
b) Isolated from other animals not of equivalent health status.  
(6) Individual health records were kept for each animal during the pre- export isolation period and any 
health problems during this time were reported to MPI.  
(7) The pre -export isolation premises was :  
a) Approved and supervised by an Official Veterinarian  of the exporting country’s Competent 
Authority ; and 
b) Free of grass and other pasture.  
(8) Before  the animals enter ing pre -export isolation, the premises was  (delete clause  a or b as 
appropriate ): 
a) Thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with an acaricide; and  
i) Bedding was  removed every 10 days; and  
ii) The premises was  thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with acaricide each time the 
bedd ing was  removed; or  
b) Thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with a long lasting acaricide repeated as per the 
manufacturer’s recommendations; and  
i) Bedding was  removed every 10 days.  
(9) Bedding used during pre -export isolation was clean and free from evidence of contamination with 
ticks and seeds.  
(10) Animals were only fed feed showing no evidence of contamination with ticks and seeds.  
(11) Each animal was examined during pre- export isolation to ensure it was  free from external parasites 
and seeds.  
(12) Each animal was examined  by an Official Veterinarian in the 72 hours before  leaving the pre -export 
isolation premises for the port of departure to verify:  
a) Each microchip; and  Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  8 of 12 
 
 
 Exporting country:  Certificate reference number : 
 
b) That the animals were fully weaned, not in the third term of pregnancy, free from clinical 
evidence of infectious disease , and fit for travel.  
Transport  
(13) As far as can be determined:  
a) If shipped by ( delete clause  i or ii  as appropriate ): 
i) Air, each animal will be shipped in accordance with the International Air Transport 
Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations ; or  
ii) Sea, the animals will be shipped in accordance with the Australian Marine Orders  Part 
43, Issue 6.  
(14) No animals other than tho se that meet the import requirements for entry into New Zealand will be 
permitted to be transported with the zoo rhinoceroses on the aircraft or ship.  
(15) Transhipment of animals through  a third country will  not occur (delete clause as  applicable ); or 
a) The animals will be transhipped through [country] as per approval by MPI and the air stalls will 
be covered with  insect -proof netting and the cargo hold will be sprayed with an effective 
insecticide during transit .  
(16) The vehicles in which the animals will b e transported to the port of departure will be cleaned and 
disinsected before  loading.  
(17) The crates or pens to be used for transporting the zoo rhinoceroses to New Zealand are either new or if previously used will be cleaned and disinsected.  
(18) The cargo space of the aircraft where the animals are to be transported will be sprayed before  
departure with an insecticidal spray approved by the Competent Authority of the exporting country.  
(19) All feed and bedding during transportation will be free from seeds and ticks.  
 
Tests and treatments  
(20) All pre -export and surveillance tests were conducted by a laboratory ( delete clause a or b as 
appropriate ): 
a) Approved by [Competent Authority of the exporting country ]; or 
b) Approved by [Competent Authority of any other country approved under the import health 
standard to export zoo rhinoceroses to New Zealand].  
(21) All diagnostic tests and treatments were approved by MPI.  
(22) Rabies  (rabies virus)  (delete clause  a or b  as appropriate ) 
a) Each animal  resided since birth or for at least the six months before shipment in [insert rabies -
free country as agreed by MPI ] and showed no clinical signs of rabies on the day of shipment; 
or 
b) Each animal was:  
i) Kept for the six months before  shipment in premises where separation from wildlife 
maintenance host was maintained, and where there has been no case of rabies for at 
least 12 months immediately before  shipment; and  
ii) Free from clinical signs of rabies on the day before  or on the day of shipment . 
(23) Q fever ( Coxiella burnetii ) (delete clause  a or b  as appropriate ) 
a) Each animal resided since birth in [insert  Q fever -free country as recognised by MPI ] and 
showed no clinical signs of Q fever on the day of shipment;  Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  9 of 12 
 
 
 Exporting country:  Certificate reference number : 
 
or 
b) Each animal was:  
i) Resident for at least the 12 months before  shipment at zoo premises where no clinical, 
epidemiological , or other evidence of Q fever has occurred in any animal species dur ing 
the previous 2 years; and  
ii) Tested for Q fever within the 30 days before  shipment, with an MPI -approved test , with 
negative results . 
Sample collection date :…………………………………….  
Name of the test: ……………………………………………  
Test result: …………………………………………………..  
(24) Tuberculosis ( Mycobacterium bovis) ( delete clauses as appropriate ) 
a) Each animal resided since birth in [a Mycobacterium bovis -free country as agreed by MPI ] and 
showed no clinical signs of tuberculosis on the day of shipment;  
or 
b) For the 12 months before  shipment, each animal was resident at zoo premises where no 
clinical, epidemiological , or other evidence of Mycobacterium bovis  has occurred in the 
previous 5 years.  During this time, the animals were  protected from contact with any reservoir  
of Mycobacterium bovis and showed no clinical signs of bovine tuberculosis on the day of 
shipment;  
or 
c) Each animal destined for export was subject to MPI -approved testing  for Mycobacterium 
bovis , with negative results . 
Sample collection date :…………………………………….  
Name of the test: ……………………………………………  
Test result: …………………………………………………..  
(25) Trypanosomosis (Trypanosoma vivax ) (delete clauses  as appropriate ) 
a) Each animal :  
i) Reside d since birth in [ a T. vivax  free country, zone or compartment  as agreed by MPI ];  
and 
ii) Showed no clinical signs of T.  vivax on the day of shipment;  
or 
b) Each animal : 
i) Resided for at least 6 months before  shipment at zoo premises where no clinical, 
epidemiological , or other evidence of T.  vivax has occurred in any animal species in the 
previous two years; and  
ii) Showed no clinical signs of T.  vivax on the day of shipment ; and  
iii) During the pre -export isolation ; 
1) A blood sample was drawn from a peripheral vein and tested for T.  vivax  using an 
agent identification test and a serological test , both with negative results . 
Name of agent identification test  
Sample collection date:……………………………  
Test result:… ……………………………………….  
 
Name of s erological test  
Sample collection date:……………………………  
Test result:…………………………………………. ; 
 or Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  10 of 12 
 
 
 Exporting country:  Certificate reference number : 
 
2) A blood sample was drawn from a peripheral vein and tested for T. vivax  using an 
agent identification test and a serological test . The agent id entification test was 
negative and the serological test  was positive . A second blood sample taken at 
least 2 1 days from the first was tested by a serological test  and show ed no 
increase in titre.  
 
Name of s erological test  1: 
Sample collection date:……………………………  
Test result  (positive) :………………………………………….;  
 
Name of agent identification test  
Sample collection date (same date as serological test 1): 
……………………………  
Test result:………………………………………….  
 
Name of s erological test  2 
Sample collection date (at least 21 days from first serological 
test):……………………………  
Test result :………………………………………….  
(26) External parasites  
a) Within the 30 days before  export, each animal was treated twice, at least 14 days apart, with 
an external parasiticide  effective against ticks, lice, and fleas . 
First treatment : 
     Name of ectoparasiticide: ………………………..  
     Active ingredient(s): ………………………………  
     Dose rate: ………………………………………….  
     Date of treatment:…………………………………  
 
Second treatment : 
     Name of ectoparasiticide: ………………………..  
     Active ingredient(s): ………………………………  
     Dose rate: …………………………………………  
     Date of treatment:……………………………….. . 
(27) Internal parasites   
a) Within the 30 days before  export, each animal was treated twice, at least 14 days apart, for 
nematodes, cestodes , and trematodes : 
First treatment:  
      Name of anthelmintic:….....................................  
      Active ingredient(s):…………………..................  
      Dose rate:….......................................................  
      Date  of treatment: .............................................  
 
Second treatment:  
      Name of anthelmintic:….....................................  
      Active ingredient(s):…………………..................  
      Dose rate:… .......................................................  
      Date of treatment: .............................................  
 
 Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  11 of 12 
 
 
 Exporting country:  Certificate reference number : 
 
 
 
Note: Each page of the certificate must be signed, stamped, dated,  and identified with a unique reference number.  
Official Veterinarian  
Name:  
Address:  
Email:  
  
Signature:  
Date:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Official Veterinarian signature, 
Official stamp and date  Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
 Draft for Consultation  30 March 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  12 of 12 
 
 
 Appendix 1 – Document history  
Date first issued  Title Short  code  
20 February 2023  
Internal consultation  Guidance Document:  Zoo Rhinoceros es GD ZOORHINO .SPE  
30 March 2023  
External consultation  Guidance Document:  Zoo Rhinoceroses  GD ZOORHINO.SPE  
Date of issued amendments  Title Short  code