PALFINGER: “Athos” the Rhino is Adopted

21.09.2021

The Salzburg company takes over the sponsorship of the white rhinoceros at Salzburg Zoo. In the wild, rhinos are subject to widespread poaching because of their horn and are classified as an endangered species.

Since 2018, the world’s leading manufacturer of innovative crane and lifting solutions has been working together with Salzburg Zoo in Hellbrunn. Since the previous adopted animal “Niara” the cheetah moved to Stuttgart, a new animal had to be found. Athos has lived in Salzburg since 2012 and has already successfully produced offspring three times

Important rhino offspring

The rhino is contributing to maintaining the stock of a rapidly depleting species of rhinoceros. The northern white rhinoceros is already extinct. Southern white rhinoceros populations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland are steadily declining due to poaching. “Having rhino offspring born in the safe environment of zoos can prove vital to the survival of the species,” emphasizes Andreas Klauser, CEO of PALFINGER AG.

A signal for biodiversity

One hundred years ago, the white rhinoceros was almost completely wiped out except for a herd of about 40 animals at the Umfolozi game reserve in South Africa. Starting from this group as well as rhinos in zoos, the number of white rhinoceroses increased to about 40,000 by the turn of the century. “What has succeeded with white rhinoceroses can succeed with other endangered species. By adopting Athos, PALFINGER is sending a clear and unmistakable signal for biodiversity and against poaching,” confirms Andreas Klauser.

ABOUT PALFINGER AG

PALFINGER is an international technology and mechanical engineering company and the world’s leading producer and provider of innovative crane and lifting solutions. With around 12,700 employees (without contract workers), 30 manufacturing sites and a worldwide sales and service network of around 5,000 service points, PALFINGER creates added value from the challenges of its customers. PALFINGER is consistently continuing on its course as a provider of innovative, complete solutions that deliver increased efficiency and better operability, while leveraging the potential of digitalization along the entire production and value chain.

PALFINGER AG has been listed on the Vienna stock exchange since 1999, and in 2023 achieved record revenue of EUR 2.45 billion.

QUERIES TO

Katja Pötsch | Head of Public Relations & Executive Communication | PALFINGER AG
M +43 664 889 69 065 | k.poetsch@palfinger.com