A HAMPSHIRE zoo is beefing up its security to protect its rhinos following a brutal poaching in France.

Marwell Zoo had a visit from police to ensure their rhinos are safe and secure and their security measures are robust.

It comes after a Rhino had its horn sliced off with a chainsaw near Paris at the zoo at Thoiry on Tuesday.

Vince, a four-year-old white rhinoceros, was found bloodied and mutilated on Tuesday morning by keepers at Thoiry Zoo, some 30 miles west of Paris.

One or more poachers reportedly broke into the enclosure overnight where three rhinos were housed, Le Parisien reported.

The raid is said to be the first attack of its kind in Europe.

Police are now visiting every zoo and wildlife park in the UK that have rhinos, to offer security advice.

Marwell Zoo confirmed to the Daily Echo that two police officers from Hampshire Constabulary visited on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "Officers regularly visit Marwell to provide security advice. We attended yesterday to check security procedures and offer advice."

James Cretney, Chief Executive of Marwell Wildlife said he welcomed the advice from police but reiterated that the zoo already has "robust" measures in place.

Mr Cretney said: “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic shooting of a white rhino at Thoiry Zoo in France. We already have robust measures in place to protect the security of the park and the welfare of all our animals. We are constantly reviewing our procedures to ensure it remains this way. Yesterday we welcomed two officers from Hampshire Constabulary, who are offering their support and advice.”

Overall there are 111 rhinos in captivity in the UK, and the head of Britain's National Wildlife Crime Unite (NWCU) described the attack as a wake-up call, and called for urgent security checks to be made to protect rhinos in zoos.

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) released a statement explaining the importance of improving security.

A spokesperson for BIAZA said: "UK zoo licensing requires zoo operators to take all steps as far is as reasonably practicable to discourage unauthorized entry. Zoos must also have systems in place to minimize the risks of theft, malicious damage, or release of animals by intruders entering the grounds out of hours.

"BIAZA members are aware of the incident in France and at the moment this is an isolated case. However, as a precautionary measure, we understand that police forces in the United Kingdom, with zoos and wildlife parks that hold rhinos within their areas, are conducting visits with the intention of discussing security and factoring the premises into patrol plans if required."