Visitors at a wildlife park were thrown into shock when a pair of rhinos started to mate in front of them.

Footage captured at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens on March 26 shows the male rhino mounting the female as onlookers watch in disbelief.

''Mating for rhinos is notoriously prolonged, lasting between 20 minutes to an hour, as demonstrated by this pair of white rhino,'' the filmer explained.

Rhinos have long gestation periods of 16 to 18 months.

Nearly an hour condensed into 5 minutes. Mating is notoriously prolonged lasting between 20 minutes for a quickie to an hour, as demonstrated by this pair of white rhino. Gestation is about 16-18 months, weaning at about a year then the calf will remain with mum for about 3 years.