Rhino Bachelor Pad Makeover Revealed to Ricko

Birmingham Zoo Resident Gets Ready for the SmartStrand Challenge with New Paint, Mural, Toys and Carpeting

Ricko the Rhino's bachelor pad got a major makeover by television craftsman Chip Wade, courtesy of Mohawk and DuPont. A six-year resident of The Birmingham Zoo, Ricko will be the featured mess maker in a challenge to see if indeed SmartStrand carpeting's built-in stain resistance can withstand the rough and tumble world of a wild Black Rhinoceros.

Over the course of the last few weeks, Chip and zookeepers have worked to improve Ricko's enclosure. A fresh paint job along with a new mural celebrating the Black Rhino were among the first items added. The dimensional mural echoes the design of the visitor observation area, also created by Chip Wade, who stars on HGTV's "Curb Appeal" and "Designed to Sell."

Professional carpet installers worked with zookeepers and veterinarians to assure Ricko adjusted well over time to his new enclosure. The SmartStrand carpeting was added and well secured to assure Ricko would be safe throughout the SmartStrand Challenge, which officially begins on Friday, August 14.

The new carpeting in place, Ricko closely examined his new flooring before taking a few tentative steps onto the cut-pile. Mohawk and DuPont installed Sacred Star in the color Egg Nog (#1326-515). The subtle beige SmartStrand is made with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer. This SmartStrand includes 37 percent renewably sourced materials from agriculture, which replaces petroleum-based ingredients. Every seven yards of SmartStrand saves one gallon of gas.

Since Ricko's enclosure is 1,040 square feet of carpeting, more than 16½ gallons were saved — enough to fill up the tank of many cars.

It wasn't long until Ricko was wandering through the space with all 2,800 pounds of pressure on the SmartStrand carpeting. Already a little dirt has begun to build up. And after it's all said and done, Mohawk will use the All Natural Carpet Stain Remover from the Mohawk FloorCare Essentials line of floor cleaning products to make SmartStrand carpet look good as new. Yes, all of the dirt, mud and muck will come out. Moreover, the molecular structure of the triexta fiber will make sure the carpeting springs back into shape and endures.

Zookeepers added a 50-pound ball that Ricko enjoys playing the Rhinoceros version of soccer. A plastic barrell was suspended from the ceiling on chains — another of Ricko's favorite toys.

Four ‘Rhino-Cams’ Installed to Watch the SmartStrand Challenge

During the renovations, four web cameras were installed — two inside and two outside — that will keep an eye on Ricko throughout the SmartStrand Challenge from Aug. 14 to 28. All four cameras come equipped with night-vision capabilities to allow visitors to see Ricko and his home at any time of the day or night. The camera feeds will be available at SmartStrandChallenge.com.

The two interior cameras show off Ricko's carpeting — one perched above looking down almost onto the whole enclosure. The other is a special "carpet cam" that allows visitors to see the massive beast as he stomps across the SmartStrand-covered floor.

The two outside cameras show Ricko's large habitat. One is positioned where Ricko enjoys the outside shade with a perfect view into the habitat of two female White Rhinos who live next door. The other points toward the area where Ricko enjoys a mudbath — a common activity of this Eastern Black Rhinoceros from Central Africa. There is no doubt that Ricko will take a mudbath and then wander back inside and trudge the mud and muck onto the SmartStrand carpeting.

Ricko continues to share his adventures on Facebook. You can become friends with Ricko by visiting Facebook.com/RickoRhino. Ricko also tweets, which is available from Twitter.com/RickoTheRhino. Other than the live feed at SmartStrandChallenge.com, videos will be posted at YouTube.com/MohawkFloors.