Mohawk Industries has teamed with The Birmingham Zoo to put its SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® (SmartStrand) carpet to the mightiest of durability and stain resistance tests. On August 14, Mohawk will install SmartStrand triexta carpet in the indoor enclosure of The Birmingham Zoo’s only Eastern Black Rhinoceros, leaving it there for two weeks.
“Ricko the Rhino” – not your typical 12-year-old! – is a bold opponent for the SmartStrand Challenge. Once the carpet has been installed, Ricko will live as usual in his enclosure, eating, sleeping, rolling his ball around and doing things that just come naturally to a 2,800-pound rhinoceros. All on Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpet!
Webcams will be strategically placed throughout the enclosure, including a night-vision webcam, to capture his life on the carpet.
“We feel so confident about the Mohawk SmartStrand carpet with triexta fiber that we wanted the public to be able to check in on the ultimate test anytime, day or night,” said David Duncan, Mohawk’s Vice President of Marketing. “This will be the perfect demonstration of its durability…if SmartStrand can stand up to this wildlife, it can certainly stand up to your wild life.”
Ricko the Rhino will be living in a brand new space designed by non-other than Chip Wade from “Designed To Sell” and “Curb Appeal.” Chip is well aware that Ricko can be more than a little destructive at times, but Chip claims he has a carpet that’s tough enough for even a rhino as aggressive as Ricko: Mohawk SmartStrand Carpet with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer.
“Ricko the Rhino” has had an exciting summer getting ready for his internet debut. Leaving no stone unturned, he is now ready to invite everyone into his living space.
Beginning August 14th, the public is invited to check in on Ricko throughout the SmartStrand Challenge via its website: www.smartstrandchallenge.com. Watch Ricko as he romps and tromps around in his enclosure, giving SmartStrand carpet a run for its money.
