Patna: Visitors to Patna zoo can soon enjoy new paddle boats in the zoo lake.

An additional 12 boats will be launched at a programme to be organised to mark World Rhino Day on September 22.

"Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who heads the environment and forest department will inaugurate this facility," a senior department official said.

The programme will also mark the inauguration of a new cage in which a young rhino born in July last year will be put on display for visitors. "The cage has already been made and final touches are being given to display the young rhino," said the official.

In terms of numbers, Patna zoo carries the distinction of having highest number of rhinos in the world. It is home to a dozen rhinos at present. Earlier, this distinction laid with San Diego zoo in the US, which is home to 11 rhinos.

The tryst of this zoo with rhinos began in 1979 when a pair of rhinos - a male and a female - was brought here from Assam. In 1982, a rhino rescued from West Champaran was added to the numbers. Since then, rhinos have been bred in the zoo and over a period of time, their numbers have gone up to six males and six females. The latest edition was made in July last year.

All these details have been listed in a brochure on rhinos which the deputy chief minister is scheduled to release during the World Rhino Day programme. The official said Sushil will also review the progress of the rhino breeding centre, which is being developed on the zoo premises to provide better facilities for natural breeding of the one-horned animal.

The facility is coming up on 5.5-acre plot inside the zoo and the Centre has provided Rs 3.62 crore to develop it.

A children's play will be staged to generate awareness on environment and wild animals during the World Rhino Day programme.