Highland Tire rhino 'on vacation' after storm knocked it down

Alle-Kiski residents wondering where Tarentum's iconic Highland Tire rhino has been can breathe a sigh of relief — it will be back.

Brad Bonnett, president of the company, said the large fiberglass rhino that usually sits atop its Tarentum location was blown off during a storm this month and needs to be repaired. It sustained damage to is horn, back and tail.

"It's been up there for about 40 years," Bonnett said.

Bonnett recalls playing on the rhino as a child — his father started the business 58 years ago. He said the residents have come to know it as a landmark.

"We tell everyone, '(We're) underneath the bridge underneath the rhino,'" he said.

Bonnett said the business has been getting calls from residents every day asking about the rhino and if it's going to be put back up.

"It will be going back up, I just don't know the exact timeframe," he said.

In the meantime, the employees have been having fun with the situation and have taken to social media to show the rhino on "vacation."

So far they have posted him next to an elephant and making an appearance at the royal wedding.

"Each week he'll be in a different place," said Harry Hoffman, manager of the Tarentum store.

Hoffman said the public's response to the rhino being off the building has kept him busy. For now, the rhino is in storage until it can be fixed.

"He's an icon here in Tarentum," Hoffman said. "It's caused quite a stir in the community here with him not being up there."

Emily Balser is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-226-4680, emilybalser@tribweb.com or on Twitter @emilybalser.