Vulnerable rhino calf born at NSW zoo
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a Greater One-horned Rhino calf - a species that's under threat in the wild.
The birth of a greater one-horned rhino calf is being celebrated at Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo in NSW.
Greater one-horned rhinos are classified as vulnerable in the wild, with just 3700 of the animals remaining in north eastern India and Nepal.
Keepers discovered the newborn alongside his mum Amala early on October 17. He has been named Hari, which means sun in Nepalese.
“This is Amala’s second calf and she slowly bonded with him over the course of the first day,” keeper Katharina Pollock said on Tuesday.
“She is now very protective of him and doesn’t like him being too far from her side.”
Zoo director Steve Hinks said the birth was a testament to the dedicated team of keepers and veterinary staff who guided the introduction process between Amala and the calf’s sire, Dora.
“We have an experienced team who work in rhino conservation and this birth is another achievement for a species under threat,” he said.
Taronga Western Plains is the only zoo in Australia to hold and breed three species of rhino – black, white and greater one-horned rhinos.
This birth follows the arrival of female black rhino calf Sabi Star earlier this year.
Amala and her calf are bonding out of public view and will make their public debut within weeks.
-AAP
