SANFORD, Fla. — Stepping foot into the Central Florida Zoo transports visitors immediately to a world filled with exotic animals, not to mention the hands-on experiences that get you up close to some thrilling animals.

But one in particular always captures a lot of attention — its longtime resident, a one-horned Indian rhino with a lot of personality. 

“A lot of people get very excited, and the first thing they usually notice is just how large he is," Director of Animal Care Chris Torge said. 

Weighing in at about 4,000 pounds, PJ is a one-horned Indian rhinoceros that, as you can probably tell, will eat just about anything placed in front of him. That is a big reason the team that cares for him and Torge keep him on a diet of mostly fruits and vegetables. 

"People really love to hear about PJ,” Torge said. “He's got a lot of personality, and there is so much to learn about him." 

While Torge has only worked at the Central Florida Zoo for 1-1/2 years, he's worked with PJ that entire time, forming a close bond with him.

He's learned about creating such bonds over the course of his life. When he was growing up, his family fostered a love of animals in him, owning dogs, cats, turtles, fish and a host of other animals during his childhood. 

"Growing up, instead of watching cartoons on Saturday morning, I'd be watching PBS, Wild America and National Geographic because I was just enthralled with animals and wildlife," Torge explained. 

He realized very early he wanted his career to involve animals, and in college, he earned a zoology degree.

He now has more than 20 years of working in the field and made his home in Central Florida working alongside PJ and the other animals at the Central Florida Zoo. 

PJ is one of the few animals that has his very own encounter experience. Five or fewer people can enter the enclosure, touch him, watch him get fed and learn interesting facts about the one-horned rhino.

It's an experience not only designed to delight, but also to teach conservation and educate a new generation on the incredible animals that live across the globe. 

To get more information about the Central Florida Zoo and book an experience with PJ or check out some of their other events, visit the zoo’s website.