Two heavyweights of a British zoo are acting just like brothers only days after they were introduced, according to keepers.

Rhinos are normally solitary animals in the wild and power struggles can take place when they live in the same area, even when they are young.

But staff at Edinburgh Zoo said greater one-horned Indian rhinos Samir and Bertus, who are 18-months-old, are now inseparable.

Samir, who arrived at the zoo last month, and Bertus, who arrived last week, could weigh between two and 2.5 tonnes when they are fully grown. Sue Gaffing, head keeper for the rhinos, said: "We've had Indian rhinos at Edinburgh Zoo since 2006 but when our males reach breeding age at about five to six, they leave to start their breeding life in another zoo collection and are replaced by juveniles.

"In the wild, rhinos are solitary animals and only tend to come together to mate, but while they are young they can live happily alongside each other. But you are never quite sure how a new pair coming from different collections will get on.

"In the past, there have been dominance struggles but this pair have been totally different. "Bertus is incredibly relaxed and his chilled attitude has really rubbed off on Samir, who was pretty nervous when he arrived. They are now inseparable, following each other around as if they are attached by an invisible rope."

"It is truly lovely to see and both are obviously enjoying each other`s company," she added.

Staff at Edinburgh Zoo also train new rhino arrivals so that routine medical checks can be carried out without stress as part of the breeding programme.

A six-year-old one-horned Indian rhino called Fanindra, who is at an age to start breeding, has now left Edinburgh Zoo. He will be introduced to a female rhino at Rotterdam Zoo.