Adorable Rhino Calf is a First for UK Safari Park

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: September 14, 2020 9:05 pm

Indian Rhino Calf West Midlands Safari Park

New-born Indian rhino calf born at West Midland Safari Park

Photo Credit: West Midland Safari Park

West Midlands Safari Park in the United Kingdom have welcomed the arrival of an Indian rhino calf. This is the first Indian rhino calf ever born at the park.

Eleven year old Mother Seto gave birth to the male calf on Tuesday 8th September at 2:29pm.

Deputy Head Keeper of Ungulates, Shelley Tudor, said “We are absolutely delighted and have been waiting a long time for this moment. After holding this species of rhino for over ten years, this is our first calf to be born at the Park.”

New-born Indian rhino calf and mother Seto at West Midland Safari Park

Photo Credit: West Midland Safari Park

“We acquired Seto and Rap as youngsters and have been able to watch them grow and mature over time; which makes it even more momentous to see them produce their own calf. He is a very special addition to the Asian rhino House, and we look forward to watching him develop, and maybe go on to produce his own little rhinos in the future!”

Currently mother and calf are bonding in a private area of the park. Once they return to display they will be visible in the Asiatic section of West Midland Safari Park’s drive-through reserve. Here they can be found in the state of the art Indian rhino house which opened in 2009.

Indian rhinos are also known as the greater one-horned rhino. Despite their armored appearance they are listed on the IUCN red list as vulnerable. They face a range of threats including poaching and habitat loss.

New-born Indian rhino calf born at West Midland Safari Park

Photo Credit: West Midland Safari Park

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At West Midlands Safari Park visitors can meet the Indian rhino family and six southern white rhinos.

While the calf is yet to be named it will receive a name starting with ‘I’ when it is decided. This is the tradition for all animals born at the safari park in 2020.