A KIND West Midland Safari Park staff member is lacing up his running shoes and costume to fundraise for the conservation of threatened rhinos.

Ungulates Keeper Matt Lloyd is taking on the London Marathon this Sunday (April 22), with all funds raised going to Save the Rhino International (SRI).

To make this incredible challenge even more difficult, Matt will be running the length of the course dressed in an extremely heavy rhino costume.

The Safari Park has two different species of rhino - Indian and southern white - the latter of which Matt works closely with on a daily basis and has done for the past 12 months.

He said: “Having worked with different rhino species throughout my three-year zoo career, I’ve really come to know and love these magnificent creatures.

“At the Safari Park, I currently work with southern white rhinos and love every minute of it. Luckily, being a keeper helps to keep me physically fit, which will be a huge advantage for the marathon.

“Training has been tough over the past ten weeks, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead of me on Sunday.

“I was thrilled to hear the news that I’d been given the opportunity to raise money for an organisation as great as SRI.

“I’ve developed a great passion for rhinos and understand the threats that all five species face.

“I was particularly excited to learn that I’d be wearing one of their rhino costume suits. I won’t be able to run the entire way as the suit weighs eight kilograms - I’ll definitely try though!”

Matt has already raised over £800 and has set up a JustGiving page to help him achieve his £2.000 goal. To make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/running-for-rhino.

There are a crash of seven southern white rhinos at the Safari Park, including the newest addition of baby Fahari, who was born in September 2017 and her half-brother Ekozu, who celebrated his second birthday last month.