Rhino Calf Born

31 October 2008

Born to 10-year-old mum Kitani at Chester Zoo on Wednesday October 29, this calf is the first Black Rhino to be born at the zoo in 10 years and the first newborn for Kitani.

At just two days old, the Eastern Black Rhinoceros calf is still trying to find its feet.

But despite its first few faltering steps, eventually this little calf will make big strides in helping the population of Black Rhinos in the wild.

The arrival is made even more significant as the Eastern Black Rhinos remains perilously close to extinction in the wild, with only 700 animals left.

A coordinated international breeding programme within zoos has already seen some Black Rhinos returned to Africa to help boost numbers. The new calf will be part of this breeding programme.

The calf was born at 3.45 in the afternoon- rhinos are generally pregnant for around 15 months

Kevin Buley, Chester Zoo’s Head of Zoo Programmes, said: “Our new arrival may be taking small steps at first but eventually it will have a bigger role to play as part of a coordinated breeding programme.

“We have a very happy team of keepers and veterinary people at Chester Zoo. They have all worked very hard to get to this point and the first rhino birth here for 10 years is a great achievement. However when all is said and done, it was down to Kitani to come up with the goods, so to speak.

“For a first time mum, she is proving to be a natural and we are delighted with the progress Kitani and her calf are making in these first fragile few days.”

After a few days of the rhino house being closed to allow Kitani and her calf to bond, there is now limited opening of the rhino house for public viewing.

                          Images Courtesy of The Press Association




















Image courtesy of Reuters