Zookeepers are celebrating the birth of a southern white rhino at Whipsnade Zoo – the 61st calf born since a vital conservation programme for the species began at the Zoo in 1970.
The male calf was born on Sunday 1 November at around 4pm, to mum Fahari and dad Sizzle, at an estimated weight of 40kg – a whopping 11 times heavier than the average human baby.
The youngster has been named Mazinda by zookeepers, in tribute to the first ever southern white rhino calf born in Europe, at Whipsnade Zoo in 1971. The name celebrates the zoo’s long history of contributing to the conservation of this remarkable species.
In 1970, a herd of white rhinos arrived at the conservation zoo from South Africa, following an agreement with the Natal Parks Board to safeguard the threatened species through a carefully managed European conservation breeding programme.
Mark Holden, Hoofstock Team Leader at Whipsnade Zoo, said: “Whipsnade’s wide-open space and expertise in conservation breeding made it the ideal place to establish the programme. Unbeknownst to keepers at the time, one of the females was already pregnant, and on 24 June 1971 she gave birth to the original Mazinda – the first white rhino calf born in Europe.
“We’re delighted to now welcome a new calf to Whipsnade Zoo, and mum Fahari is proving to be the perfect parent. The little one has stayed close by mum’s side in the rhino barn since birth and has been growing stronger and more confident every day.”
Southern white rhinos were once on the brink of extinction, with their wild population reduced to around 20 individuals in South Africa by the late 19th century. Although numbers have recovered significantly, white rhinos continue to face threats including poaching and habitat loss, with the latest estimates placing the wild population at around 17,500 across Africa.
Mark added: “The first Mazinda was a trailblazer for her species, being the first white rhino born in Europe. Now, more than 50 years later as ZSL, the conservation charity which runs Whipsnade Zoo, celebrates its 200th anniversary year, we’re honouring this important birth by naming the calf in recognition of a significant part of Whipsnade’s conservation legacy.”
More than five decades after the conservation breeding programme began, Whipsnade Zoo continues to play an important role in protection and restoration of the species, working with other European conservation zoos to help maintain a healthy, genetically diverse back up population of white rhinos.
Mark continued: “Mazinda is a very inquisitive calf who already loves exploring his surroundings. Rhino calves take some time to grow into their large hooves, so it’s been fun to watch him totter around and test his balance. We can’t wait to watch him zoom around the grassy green paddocks at Whipsnade, just like his namesake did more than 50 years ago.”
Visitors hoping to help celebrate the new arrival will be able to see Mazinda with his mum, as they continue to enjoy important bonding time together inside Whipsnade Zoo’s cosy rhino barn.
Every visit to Whipsnade Zoo is a great day out that supports ZSL’s vital science and conservation work around the world. Book tickets here: https://www.whipsnadezoo.org/
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