Shandu, the Buried Rhino
Exhibit Title:
Shandu, the Buried Rhino
Exhibition Locations:
Permanent Exhibition:
Monarto Safari Park, 63 Monarto Rd, Monarto SA 5254
Past Exhibition:
Sculpture by the Sea, Tamarama Beach, Sydney (2016)
Exhibition Dates:
Permanent Installation at Monarto Safari Park: Ongoing
Sculpture by the Sea: 2016
About the Exhibition:
Shandu, the Buried Rhino is a monumental sculpture and the world’s largest rhino artwork. First exhibited on Sydney’s iconic Tamarama Beach as part of the 2016 Sculpture by the Sea, Shandu captured the public’s imagination and became an instant favorite. After one year of preparation, hundreds of sponsors, and two intense days of installation, the sculpture brought a powerful message of change and conservation to millions of visitors.
Named after the Zulu word for “change,” Shandu symbolizes hope for the endangered Southern White Rhinoceros. Its presence at Sculpture by the Sea resonated deeply with visitors, earning both the Allen’s People’s Choice Award and the Kids' Choice Award—a rare achievement in the exhibition’s 20-year history.
Following its successful debut, Shandu found a permanent home at Monarto Safari Park, the world’s largest open-range zoo. Positioned in a picturesque spot outside the visitor center, Shandu now soaks up the rays alongside neighboring chimpanzees and yellow-footed rock wallabies. Monarto, with its rhino-focused ethos and logo, was the perfect fit for this powerful and beloved sculpture.
About the Project:
The creation of Shandu was driven by a mission to raise awareness and funding for the plight of the endangered Southern White Rhinoceros. During its time at Sculpture by the Sea, Shandu became a viral sensation, with thousands of photos shared across social media and millions of visitors coming to see it in person.
Gillie and Marc donated all prize money from Shandu’s dual awards to The Australian Rhino Project (ARP)—an initiative aimed at relocating 80 Southern White Rhinos to Australia as a safeguard against extinction. The sculpture’s overwhelming success generated nationwide and international media coverage, with features in the UK’s Telegraph and BBC UK, as well as every major Australian TV network.
The publicity led to a surge of support for ARP, with calls from volunteers flooding in and significant donations raised. Altogether, the artists managed to raise an impressive $17,000 for rhino conservation, showcasing the immense impact art can have in driving change.
About the Sculpture:
Shandu, the Buried Rhino is not only the largest rhino sculpture in the world but also a visual and emotional representation of the urgent need for wildlife conservation. The sculpture’s scale and presence serve as a striking reminder of the fragility of endangered species and the power of collective action to save them.
The sculpture’s journey—from the sands of Tamarama Beach to its forever home at Monarto Safari Park—reflects its deeper message of change. Its placement in Monarto, where rhinos are at the heart of the park’s mission, ensures that Shandu will continue to inspire generations of visitors to appreciate and protect these incredible animals.
About The Project
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. 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 with offers to volunteer. The artists managed to raise a massive $17,000 altogether to go towards the ARP.
About The Animal
There are two species of rhino endemic to Africa, the black and white rhino. Both of these beautiful species are in danger with the northern white rhino functionally extinct, only with two female rhinos left in the whole world.
Rhinos are one of the last remaining examples of mega-fauna, huge animals that have been around for millions of years. But they are in trouble because of humans. We are taking their homes to expand our own, but worst of all, we are taking their beautiful horns and leaving them for dead. Rhino horn is made from keratin, the same substance as our hair and fingernails. It is used in traditional Chinese medicines, encouraging a roaring trade on the black market, despite the mounting scientific evidence proving there are no health benefits. Now, all rhinos are in trouble and it so important that we raise awareness so we can stop this trade once and for all, protecting one of our most iconic animals in the process.
About The Project
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. 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 with offers to volunteer. The artists managed to raise a massive $17,000 altogether to go towards the ARP.
Exhibition Locations
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.”
How To Help
The sculpture is aligned with the hashtag #LoveTheLast. Visitors will be asked to take a photo with the artwork and share it with the hashtag, jump starting efforts to spread critical awareness. To help protect the rhinos you can give a donation to The Australian Rhino Project, a fantastic organisation fighting for African rhinos: https://theaustralianrhinoproject.org/
