Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Zoo Rhinoceroses  
ZOORHINO.SPE  
29 May 2023  
 Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 16 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on 29 May 2023   
REVOCATION  
This Import Health Standard revokes the following:  
a) Import Health Standard for White Rhinoceros from Australia , ZOORHIIC.AUS,  25 May 2011  
b) Import Health Standard for the  Importation of White Rhinoceroses into New Zealand from the 
Republic of South Africa , ZOORHIC.SAF,  15 July 1999.  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued under section 24A and 24B of the Biosecurity Act 1993 . 
 
Dated at Wellington , 29 May 2023  
 
 
Stephen Cob b 
Manager , Animal Imports  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under dele gated authority of the Director -General)  
 
For further information  contact:  
Animal Imports  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 
Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
 Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  2 of 16 
Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  Requirements  6 
1.1 Application  6 
1.2 Incorporation by references  6 
1.3 Definitions  6 
1.4 Requirements for authorisation into containment  6 
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  7 
1.6 Pre-export isolation  7 
1.7 Diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatment  8 
1.8 Transport  9 
1.9 Import permit information  9 
1.10  Documentation that must accompany goods  10 
Part 2:  Specified requirements for identified risk organisms  12 
2.1 Rabies (rabies virus)  12 
2.2 Q fever ( Coxiella burnetii ) 12 
2.3 Tuberculosis ( Mycobacterium bovis ) 12 
2.4 Trypanosomosis ( Trypanosoma vivax ) 12 
2.5 External parasites  13 
2.6 Internal parasites  13 
2.7 Seeds  13 
Schedule 1 – Document history  14 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  15 
 Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  3 of 16 
Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of this Import Health Standard  (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
This IHS specifies the minimum requirements that must be met when importing  zoo rhinoceroses  into New 
Zealand . Zoo rhinoceroses are limited to white rhinoceros es (Ceratotherium simum ) and black rhinoceros es 
(Diceros bicornis ). 
The risk organisms associated with zoo rhinoceros es that are managed by this IHS are: 
a) Rabies (rabies virus)  
b) Rift Valley fever (Rift Valley fever virus)  
c) Q fever ( Coxiella burnetii ) 
d) Tuberculosis  (Mycobacterium bo vis) 
e) Trypanosomosis  (Trypanosoma vivax ) 
f) External parasites  
g) Old world screwworm ( Chrysomya bezziana ) 
h) Internal parasites  
i) Seeds  
Background  
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, eradicating , and effectively 
managing pests and unwanted organisms.  
Import health standards issued under the Act set out requirements to be met to effectively manage biosecurity 
risks associated with importing goods. They include requirements that must be met in the e xporting country, 
during transit, and before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
Guidance boxes are included within this IHS for explanatory purposes. The guidance included in these boxes 
is for information only and has no legal effect.  
A guidance document  also accompanies this IHS providing information on how requirements may be met . 
Who should read this  Import Health Standard ? 
This IHS should be read by  importers of zoo rhinoceroses . 
Why is this important?  
It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure the requirements of this IHS are met. Consignments that do not 
comply with the requirements of this IHS may not be cleared for entry into New Zealand and/or further 
information may be sought from importers. Con signments that do not comply with the requirements of this IHS 
may be reshipped or destroyed under the Act or tested/treated in accordance with this IHS before  release or 
equivalence determined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
The costs t o MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of zoo rhinoceros es will be recovered in 
accordance with the Act and any regulations made under the Act. All costs involved with documentation, 
transport, storage , and obtaining a biosecurity cl earance must be covered by the importer or agent.  
Equivalence  Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  4 of 16 
A chief technical officer (CTO) may issue a direction under section 27(1)(d) of the Act that measures different 
from those set out in this IHS may be applied to effectively manage risks asso ciated  with the importation of  
these goods.  
If an equivalent measure is approved, an import permit may be issued under section 24D(2) of the Act if the 
Director -General considers it appropriate to do so. The details of the CTO direction on equivalence wil l be 
included as notes in the special conditions section of the permit to inform the inspector’s assessment of the 
commodity.  
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 . 
Transitional facility  
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 leaked from the container will be destroyed at the port of entry.  
Following biosecurity authorisation b eing given under section 25 of the Act, the zoo rhinoceroses  will proceed 
directly to the transitional facility named on the import permit, which must be approved under the Facility 
Standard: Zoo Animals Transitional Facilities  (MPI-STD-ZOO ), dated December 2018 , and located within a 
containment facility that is approved under the Standard for Zoo Containment Facilities , dated April 2018. 
Animals must remain in the transitional facility for a minimum of seven days.  
At the transitional facility all documentation accompanying the consignment will be verified by an inspector. 
The documentation will be checked to ensure it meets all relevant requirements noted in Part 1: Requirements  
and specified requirements (veterinary certification)  and in Part 2: Specified requirements for identified risk 
organisms  of this IHS. The inspector will verify the microchips and that the animals are visibly free from signs 
of infectious or contagious disease , external parasites , and seeds . 
Biosecurity authorisation into containment  
Zoo rhinoceroses are restricted organisms so will not be given biosecurity clearance. On authorisation from 
the biosecurity inspector, they may be moved from the transitional facility, but must remain in the containment 
facility approved under the Standard for Zoo Containment Facilities . 
Document history  
Refer to Schedule 1 . 
Other information  
This is not an exhaustive list of compliance requirements and it is the importer’s responsibility to be familiar 
with and comply with all New Zealand laws . 
Import health standards  
Other re levant IHSs must also be c omplied with before biosecurity authorisation will be issued. These may 
include the following:  
a) All equipment entering New Zealand with the zoo rhinoceroses  must comply with the Import 
Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Eq uipment Associated with Animals or 
Water . 
b) Containers made of timber must meet th e requirements of the: IHS: Woodware from All 
Countries . Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  5 of 16 
CITES   
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure th at the consignment is accompanied by any permit(s) required 
to meet the legislation of the country of origin and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered 
Species (CITES) http://www.cites.org . See the Depa rtment of Conservation for further details 
https://www.doc.govt.nz/cites . 
The importer is advised to clarify the status of the species of animal in relation to international agreements on 
their trade before  export. Material arriving in New Zealand without the relevant CITES permits may be subject 
to seizure by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.  
Any requirement for CITES or other conservation -related documentation must be met by the exporter  and 
importe r. 
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)  and new organisms  
Importers of new organisms must meet all requirements of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms 
(HSNO) Act 1996.  
Before an inspector can authorise a new organism to go to a containment facility, the EPA must have given 
approval for importation of that organism into containment in accordance with the HSNO Act.  
Trade Single Window (TSW)  and Customs clearance  
All goods  imported into New Zealand need to be cleared by the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) 
and the Ministry for Primary Industries. To gain customs clearance, the  required documentation must be 
lodged  through the Trade Single Window (TSW) portal.  
For more information about TSW please visit https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/trade -single -window/  
 Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  6 of 16 
Part 1:  Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This IHS applies to all imports  of the following zoo rhinoceros species from Australia, the European 
Union, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom , and the United States of America  into 
New Zealand : 
a) White rhinoceros es (Ceratotherium simum)  
b) Black rhinoceros es (Diceros bicornis)  
1.2 Incorporation by reference s 
(1) The following international standards are incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of 
the Act:   
a) The World Organisation for Animal Health Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccin es for 
Terrestrial Animals , available  at: Terrestrial Manual Online Access - WOAH - World Organisation 
for Animal Health  
b) The World Organisation  for Animal Health  Terrestrial Animal Health Code , available at: 
Terrestrial Code Online Access - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health  
c) International Air Transport Association Live Animals Regulations : a copy is available to read, free 
of charge, at MPI, Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace , Wellington  
d) Australian Marine Orders  Part 43, Issue 6, available at: 
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2006L03643  (this is equivalent to the New Zealand Marine 
Rules  Part 24C)  
(2) The following material is incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of the Act:  
a) MPI Approved Diagnostic Tests, Vaccines, Treatments and Post -arrival Testing Laboratories for 
Animal Import Health Standards  (MPI-STD-TVTL ) 
(3) Under section 142O(3) of the Act , it is declared that section 1 42O(1) does not apply . That is, a notice 
under section 142O(2) of the Act is not required to be published before material that amends or 
replaces the standards, guideline or lists incorporated under clauses 1.2(1) and (2) above has legal 
effect as part of this IHS . 
 
Guidance  
• Incorporation by reference means that standards, guidelines , or lists are incorporated into the 
IHS and they form part of the requirements . 
 
1.3 Definitions  
(1) For the purposes of this IHS, terms used that are defined  in the Act have the meanings set out there. 
The Act is available at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/ . 
(2) See Schedule 2  for additional definitions that apply . 
1.4 Requirements for authorisation into containment  
(1) To obtain  authorisation into a zoo containment facility , zoo rhinoceroses  must:  
a) Have been resident in one or more approved, licensed , or registered zoos or wildlife parks in the 
exporting country since birth or for at least the 12 months imme diately before  export ;  Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  7 of 16 
b) Be free from quarantine restrictions imposed by the exporting country for at least 90 days before 
the date of export ; 
c) Originate from premises that are under direct veterinary supervision and provide separation from 
other animal popu lations not of an equivalent health status . The zoo or wildlife park premises 
must follow a documented health monitoring programme that includes necropsies and 
microbiological and parasitological testing that would be effective in monitoring for diseases o f 
biosecurity concern identified in Part 2: Specified requirements for identified risk organisms  of 
this IHS ;  
d) Meet the requirements of clause s 1.6-1.10 of Part 1 : Requirements  and Part 2: Specified 
requirements for identified risk organism s of this IHS ;  
e) Be imported from a country that the CTO is satisfied meets the export country systems and 
certific ation requirements of clause 1.5 of this IHS ;  
f) Be accompanied by a veterinary certificate that meets the requirements of clause 1.10.2 , has 
been agreed by a CTO, and details the measures in Part 2: Specified requirements for identified 
risk organisms  of this IHS  that the exporting country  will meet ; and 
g) Be accompanied by an import permit as required by clause 1.9. 
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  
(1) Importers may import zoo rhinoceroses  only if a CTO is satisfied, on the basis of  evidence, that the 
Veterinary Services of the exporting country are capable of ensuring that zoo rhinoceroses  imported 
from that country can meet the requirements of this IHS.  
(2) The evidence must include details about all of the following, that the CTO  considers applicable to the 
zoo rhinoceroses  from that exporting country:  
a) The ability of the exporting country’s Competent Authority to verify the animal health status of zoo 
rhinoceroses  in the exporting country, zone , or compartment, with respec t to the risk organisms 
identified in  Part 2: Specified requirements for identified risk organisms .   
b) The adequacy of the exporting country’s national systems and/or programmes and standards in 
the exporting country for regulatory oversight of the zoo industry . 
c) The capability of the exporting country’s Competent Authority to support the issue of veterinary 
certificates as required by this IHS. 
(3) Importers may not import from a country where a CTO has determined that the Veterinary Services of 
the exporting country are no longer capable of ensuring that zoo rhinoceroses  imported from that 
country can meet the requirements of this IHS.  
 
Guida nce 
• The evidence will be obtained during evaluation of the Veterinary Services of the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country in accordance with section 3 of the World Organisation for 
Animal Health  Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code ), titled Quality of Veterinary Services . 
• Once a CTO is satisfied with the exporting country’s evidence for exporting systems and 
certification, MPI and the Competent Authority may commence negotiation of the country -specific 
veterinary certificate.  
• For the CTO to  be satisfied with the evidence provided , an in -country or desk -top audit may be 
carried out at any time, including before  the first shipment of the commodity.  
• See Guidance Document  for more information about exporting country systems and certification, 
and for a list of currently approved countries and country -specific veterinary certificates.  
1.6 Pre-export isolation  
(1) The animals destined for export must be held in pre -export isolation for a minimum period of 30 days 
before  the date of export . Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  8 of 16 
(2) During pre -export isolation the animals must be isolated from other animals not of an equivalent health 
status.  
(3) Individual healt h records for animals must be kept on the premises during the pre -export isolation 
period and must be available to the Official Veterinarian.  Any health problems during the pre -export 
isolation period must be reported to MPI.  
(4) The pre -export isolation premi ses must be approved and supervised by an Official Veterinarian  and 
should be free of grass and other pasture.  
(5) Before  the animals enter pre -export isolation, the premises must:  
a) Be thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with an acaricide; and  
i) Bedding must be remove d every 10 days; and  
ii) The premises must be thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with acaricide each time the 
bedding is removed; or  
b) Be thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with a long lasting acaricide repeated as per the 
manufacturer’s recommendations; and  
i) Bedding mus t be removed every 10 days.  
(6) Feed used in pre -export isolation must be free from evidence of contamination with ticks and seeds.  
(7) All bedding used in pre -export isolation must be clean and free from evidence of contamination with 
ticks and seeds.  
(8) The animals  must be identified (by reading their microchips) and examined by an Official Veterinarian 
in the 72 hours before  they leave the pre -export isolation premises for the port of export. The animals 
must be fully weaned, not in the last third term of pregnancy , free from clinical evidence of infectious 
disease , and fit for travel.  
1.7 Diagnostic tests , vaccines , and treatment  
(1) All pre -export and/or surveillance testing required by this IHS must be:  
a) Conducted by a laboratory approved by the Competent Authority of the exporting country; or  
b) Conducted by a laboratory approved by the Competent Authority of any other country approved 
under this IHS to export zoo rhinoceroses  to New Zealand.  
(2) All laboratory samples requir ed by this IHS must be collected, processed, and stored in accordance 
with the recommendations in the Code  and/or the Manual , or as described in MPI Approved Diagnostic 
Tests, Vaccines, Treatments and Post -arrival Testing Laboratories for Animal Import Health Standards  
(MPI -STD-TVTL) . 
(3) All diagnostic tests and vaccines that are required to be used or undertaken by this IHS must be those 
that have been approved by MPI for that purpose and documented in MPI Approved Diagnostic Tests, 
Vaccines, Treatments and Post -arrival Testing Laboratories f or Animal Import Health Standards  (MPI -
STD-TVTL) . 
(4) All products and vaccinations required by this IHS to be administered to meet the specific disease 
requirements in Part 2: Specified requirements for identified risk organisms  must have been 
administered according to the manufacturer’s instruction in a country that a CTO has agreed meets the 
requirements of clause 1.5.  
(5) Where products required by this IHS have been administered, the product name, manufacturer, active 
ingredients  (where applicable), and the dose and date of the treatment must be recorded on the 
veterinary certificate.  
 Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  9 of 16 
Guidance  
• See Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  for more information about tests .  
1.8 Transport  
(1) In the case of transport by:  
a) Air: the transport facilities and arrangements must meet the relevant requirements in the 
International Air Transport Association: Live Animal Regulations . 
b) Sea: the transport facilities and arrangements must have been inspecte d and meet the 
requirements of the Australian Marine Orders Part 43, Issue 6  (which is equivalent to the 
New Zealand Marine Rules Part 24C ). 
(2) No animals other than those that meet the import requirements for entry into New Zealand are 
permitted to be transp orted with the zoo rhinoceroses  on the aircraft or ship.  
(3) Transhipment in any third country may not occur unless it is preapproved by MPI and recorded on an 
import permit under section 24D.  In the case of trans hipment through countries where there is a risk of 
insect borne pathogens, the air stalls must be covered by insect -proof netting and the cargo hold 
sprayed with an effective insecticide during transit. The netting must be disinfected after arrival in 
New Zealand.  
(4) The vehicles in which the zoo rhinoceroses will be transported to the port of departure must be cleaned 
and disinsected before  loading.  
(5) The crates or pens used for transporting the zoo rhinoceroses to New Zealand must be new or if 
previously used must be cleaned and disinsected.  
(6) If the zoo rhinoceroses are transported by air, the cargo space of the aircraft where the animals are to 
be transported must be sprayed before  departure with an insecticidal spray approved by the 
Competent Authority of the exportin g country.  
 
Guidance  
• Any containers not intact on arrival will be made secure before the consignment is moved to the 
transitional facility. Any material which has leaked from the container will be destroyed at the port 
of entry.  
1.9 Import permit  information  
(1) An import permit under section 24D of the Act  is required before consignments of zoo rhinoceroses  are 
imported from Australia, the European Union, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom , and the 
United States of America . 
 
Guidance  
• Apply for the import permit at the following weblink  under Zoo Animals : 
https://animalplantimportpermit.mpi.govt.nz/  
• Ensure you have a letter of approval from the MPI inspector confirming the transitional facility can 
accept the import.  Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  10 of 16 
1.10 Documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) All documentation that is required by this clause 1.10 to accompany zoo rhinoceroses  must, unless 
otherwise stated:  
a) Be in English or have an English translation that is clear and legible ; and  
b) Be original  unless othe rwise specified in this IHS. 
(2) Documentation that is in a paper format must, unless otherwise stated, be endorsed on every page by 
the Official Veterinarian with their original stamp, signature , and date or be endorsed in the space 
allocated and all pages ha ve paper based alternative security features.  
(3) Documentation that is in an electronic format must, unless otherwise stated, be transmitted directly 
from the Competent Authority of the exporting country to MPI, using an electronic system approved by 
MPI for  that purpose.  
 
Guidance  
• Copies of all documents that are required to accompany the goods should be submitted to the 
MPI inspector  at the airport/port of arrival at least seven days before arrival to avoid delays at the  
border . 
• Transport companies should also contact the MPI inspector within 24 hours of departure of the 
animals.  
• Please email the applicable arrival point:  
− Auckland:  liveanimalsauckland@mpi.govt.nz  
− Christchurch:  liveanimalschristchurch@mpi.govt.nz  
(4) The consignment must arrive in New Zealand with the documentation specified in  clauses 1.10.1 to 
1.10.3  below:   
1.10.1  Import permit  
(1) An import permit (copy acceptable) , as required by this IHS , is for single consignments.  
1.10.2  Veterinary certificate  
(1) A veterinary certificate from the exporting country’s Competent Authority , which must include the 
following:  
a) A unique consignment identifier ; 
b) The i mport permit number ; 
c) The description, species, and microchip number ; 
d) Name and address of the importer (cons ignee) and exporter (consignor) ; 
e) Name, signature , and contact details of the Official Veterinarian ; 
f) Certification and endorsement by the Official Veterinarian that the general requirements outlined 
in Part 1 : Requirements  of this IHS have been met ; and  
g) Certification and endorsement by the Official Veterinarian that the relevant  requirements outlined 
in Part 2: Specified requirements for identified risk organisms  of this IHS have been met  except 
for those requirements that a CTO has agreed during negotiation  under clause 1.5 as not being 
required for a country -specific veterinary certificate . 
 
Guidance  
• If equivalent measures have been negotiated and agreed  to with MPI, and a CTO has, before  
import, issued a direction under section 27(1)(d) of the Act that is different from those in this 
standard in the form of a negotiated veterinary certificate, a country -specific veterinary certificate 
must accompany the consignment.  Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  11 of 16 
• See Guidance Document : Zoo Rhinoceroses  for more information about equivalence and 
country -specific veterinary certificates.  
1.10.3  Laboratory reports  
(1) Original laboratory reports , copies of laboratory reports endorsed by the Official Veterinarian , or a 
tabulated summary of la boratory results endorsed by the Official Veterinarian  of all tests required by 
Part 2: Specified requirements for identified risk organisms  of this IHS , which must include :  
a) Unique microchip number  identification for each animal, consistent with the vet erinary certificate ;  
b) Dates of sample collection ; 
c) Test type ; and  
d) Test result.  
 
Guidance on microchip s 
• If the microchip does not meet International Organization for Standardization  (ISO) specifications 
11784 or Annex A of ISO Standard 11785 specifications, it is the importer’s responsibility to ensure 
that the microchip can be read upon entry to New Zealand. This may mean that the importer will need 
to provide a microchip reader (at the importer’s expense) for the chip to be read. Microchip n umbers 
must be unique. Microchip numbers starting with 999 are not unique.  
 Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  12 of 16 
Part 2:  Specified requirements for identified risk organisms  
(1) Zoo rhinoceroses  must comply with the following measures for identified risk organisms , if applicable . 
2.1 Rabies (rabies virus)  
(1) Each animal must have been resident since birth or for at least six months before  shipment in a rabies -
free country as agreed by MPI and showed no clinical signs of rabies on the day of shipment; or  
(2) Each animal must have:  
a) Been kept for the six months before  shipment in premises where separation from wildlife 
maintenance host s was maintained, and where there has been no case of rabies for at least 12 
months immediately before  shipment; and  
b) Show ed no clinical signs of rabies on the day before  or on the day of shipment.  
2.2 Q fever ( Coxiella burnetii ) 
(1) Each animal must have been resident since birth in a Q fever -free country as recognised by MPI and 
showed no clinical signs of Q fever on the day of shipment; or  
(2) Each animal  must have:  
a) Been 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 speci es during the 
previous 2 years; and  
b) Been t ested for Q fever within the 30 days before  shipment , with an MPI -approved test with 
negative results.  
2.3 Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis ) 
(1) Each animal must have  been resident 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  
(2) For the 12 months before shipment, each animal must have resided 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 must have been protected from contact with any reservoir of 
Mycobacterium bovis  and showed no clinical signs of bovine tuberculosis on the day of shipment; or  
(3) Each animal destined for export must  be subject ed to MPI -approved testing for Mycobacterium bovis  
with negative results.  
2.4 Trypanosomosis ( Trypanosoma vivax ) 
(1) Each animal  must have:  
a) Been resid ent since birth in  a T. vivax -free country, zone , or compartment or  imported from a T. 
vivax  free country, zone , or compartment as agreed by MPI; and  
b) Showed no clinical signs of T. vivax  on the day of shipment; or  
(2) Each animal must have  been resident for at least six 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  showed no clinical signs of trypanosomosis on the day of shipment ; and  
a) During pre -export isolation ,  Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  13 of 16 
i) A blood sample drawn from a peripheral vein must be  tested for T. vivax  using  an agent 
identification test and serological test , both with negative results; or  
ii) Following a positive serological test, a blood sample from a peripheral vein must be tested 
negative for T. vivax  using an agent identification test , and a second blood sample taken at 
least 21 days after the first must be tested for T. vivax  by a serological test and show no 
increase in titre. 
2.5 External parasites  
(1) Within the 30 days prior to export, each animal must be treated twice, at least 14 days apart, with an 
external parasiticide  effective against lice, ticks , and fleas; and  
(2) Each animal must be inspected and found to be free of external parasites before  shipment.  
2.6 Internal parasites  
(1) Within the 30 days prior to export, each animal must be treated twice, at least 14 days apart, with an 
anthelmintic effective against cestodes, nematodes , and trematodes.  
2.7 Seeds  
(1) Feed and bedding material in pre -export isolation must be free from evidence of seeds. Before  
departure to New Zealand , each animal must be certified as being free from visible contamination with 
seed s.  
(2) On arrival in New Zealand , the animals must be held in a transitional facility for one week, during which 
time all dung must be collected and destroyed.  Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  14 of 16 
Schedule  1 – Document history  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
29 May 2023  Import Health Standard: Zoo Rhinoceroses  IHS ZOORHINO.SPE  
Date of Amendments  Title Shortcode  
   
 
 Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  15 of 16 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  
Compartment  
An animal subpopulation contained in one or more establishments under a common biosecurity management 
system with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease or specific diseases for which required 
surveillance, control , and biosecurity measures have been applied for the purpose of international trade.  
Competent Authority  
The Veterinary or other Governmental Authority of the World Organisation of Animal Health  Mem ber, that has 
the responsibility and competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare 
measures, international veterinary certification and other standards , and recommendations in the Code  in the 
whole territory.  
Extern al parasite  
Organisms which live on the surface of the host, including mites, lice, ticks, fleas, and flesh -eating larvae.  
Inspector  
An MPI Official Veterinarian warranted as a Biosecurity Inspector under the Biosecurity Act.  
Internal parasite  
Organisms which live inside the host, including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms , and flukes.  
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand.  
Official Veterinarian  
A veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority of a country to perform certain desi gnated official tasks 
associated with animal health and/or public health and inspections of commodities and, when appropriate, to 
certify in conformity with the provisions of the Code  Chapter for certification procedures.  
Surveillance  
The systematic ongoin g collection, collation, and analysis of information related to animal health and the 
timely dissemination of information to those who need to know so that action can be taken.  
Transhipment  
An animal changes aircraft during travel to, or through, New Zeala nd. 
Transit  
An animal remains on board the aircraft during travel to, or through, New Zealand.  
Veterinary Certificate  
A certificate, issued in conformity with the provisions of the World Organisation for Animal Health  Code  
Chapter for certification procedures, describing the animal health and/or public health requirements which are 
fulfilled by the exported commodities.  
WOAH  
The World Organisation for Animal Health.  
 Import Health Standard : Zoo Rhinoceroses   
  29 May 2023  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  16 of 16 
Zone  
Means a part of a country defined by the Veterinary Authority, containing an animal population or 
subpopulation with a specific animal health status with respect to an infection or infestation for the purposes of 
international trade or disease prevention or control.