MELBOURNE, Fla. — Not many people can say they take a rhinoceros for a walk nearly every morning, but it’s something Brevard zookeeper Cindy Watson does nearly every day.

“Come on Frankie. Let’s go for a walk,” said Watson to the rhinoceros as she was walking near the animal on the other side of some zoo fencing.

Watson works with the rhinos every day behind the scenes at the Brevard Zoo.

“I never thought I would be able to do this in my entire life and be here and working here with these rhinos,” said Watson.

The zookeeper works with three different rhinos daily to make sure they stay healthy and comfortable around people, which includes target training.

The target and behavioral training uses sounds, like taping a long brush against wood to get the large animals to move to a specific spot with their habitat.

“So, as comfortable as we can get with these guys, we are still aware they are wild animals. They still have their natural instincts,” said Watson.

The behavioral training is also used around guests to interact with a rhinoceros.

The Brevard Zoo Rhino Experience allows guests to spend around 20 minutes with a 5,000-pound animal.

“You can book this experience. You can get up close and personal with rhinos. Be able to interact with them. See how they feel and see their behavior,” said Watson.

The experience will take you behind the scenes, and directly to their animal habitat, home to southern white rhinos. 

There is wooded fencing that separates the guests from the rhinos and visitors can touch, scratch (with brushes) and learn about the magnificent creatures while the zookeeper is there to answer all questions.

“They can feel everything you’re doing. They have very sensitive skin,” said Watson.

Watson says the large animals are very misunderstood.

“People see videos of rhinos charging at trucks, charging at people. That is because rhinos have real poor eyesight. They rely mostly on their hearing and their sense of smell,” she said.

Despite strong conservation efforts, southern white rhino populations are decreasing. 

They are hunted for their horns, where about 16,000 remain in the wild.

“Everyone should go do this experience. Because it opens your mind to how amazing these animals are. You’re up close and personal with these rhino(s),” said Watson.

Reservations for the Brevard Zoo Rhino Experience are done online.

The cost is $29.95 per person and is separate from the zoo entrance fee.