A baby southern white rhino has been born at Whipsnade Zoo, marking an important step forward in the European breeding programme (EEP), which helps to conserve a genetically diverse and healthy back up population to endangered species in zoos.
There are just 17,500 southern white rhinos left in the wild and they are threatened by illegal hunting to supply the international rhino horn trade. The horns are used in traditional medicine in Asia, and also to make dagger handles in the Middle East, with illegal wildlife trade reaching unprecedented levels in recent years.
ZSL, the international conservation charity behind Whipsnade Zoo, is working across the world stop the illegal wildlife trade, through pioneering border detection in the centre of illegal wildlife networks, establishing anti-poaching patrols, training and technology.
The male calf, who keepers estimate weighs less than 50kg, was born on October 2, to parents Fahari and Sizzle. After a 16-month gestation, seven-year old Fahari went into labour in on Wednesday morning, but the calf was not born until 5pm that evening.
Rhino keeper Alex Simpson said: “As a first-time mum, Fahari did really well during labour, and the birth was surprisingly smooth. It was a really special moment for our team, as we were able to be present for the birth. We were watching Fahari over the CCTV together to make sure everything was going okay.
“The calf is smaller than some of the previous calves that have been born here, but he has a very healthy appetite! You can hear him making little noises, almost like whale song, when he wants milk – and we’ve even seen him stomp his comically large feet a few times when he is impatient for food.”
At first, the rhino calf appeared to struggle to get the hang of suckling, prompting keepers and vets to keep an extra-close eye on mum and newborn, to make sure he got all the nutrients he needed in the first few hours after being born. They were relieved to see that by the next day, both of them had worked out what to do.
Alex added: “Fahari is already proving to be a protective mum and likes to keep her baby in her eyeline. But to suckle, he needs to stand under her belly and by her back legs, so we think at first they were struggling to work out the logistics of everything! But he’s feeding well now, and it’s really sweet to see them figure out all these new experiences together.”
The giant bundle of joy joins his seven-month old half-brother, Benja, who was born in March.
“At the moment, visitors can spot the new baby boy exploring his cosy indoor den at the white rhino house. We’ll be gradually introducing him to the rest of his family, and we’re hoping visitors to be able to see him playing with his half-brother in time for October half-term – but this will be weather dependent!” said Alex.
