Another Rhino Breeding Success at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: November 16, 2021 10:20 am

Amala the greater one-horned rhinoceros with her calf born on October 17th 2021 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Photo Credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo have announced the safe birth of a male greater one-horned rhinoceros calf to mother Amala and father Dora. The calf was welcomed in the morning of Sunday October 17th 2021.

Keepers arriving for work that morning found the calf was already standing at its mother’s side and commenced a watch to ensure he started suckling and established a bond with mom.

The calf has been named Hari by keepers, meaning sun in Nepalese.

At present the mother and calf are being given a chance to bond behind the scenes. They will make their public debut in the coming weeks.

A greater one-horned rhinoceros calf born on October 17th at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Photo Credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo

“This is Amala’s second calf and she slowly bonded with him over the course of the first day. She is now very protective of him and doesn’t like him being too far from her side,” said Keeper Katharina Pollock.

“We are all very excited by this new addition and it is great to see mother and calf doing well. It has been an amazing experience for many of the keepers to see the calf arrive and watch it go from strength to strength.”

“This birth is a testament to our dedicated team of keepers and veterinary staff who guided the introduction process between Amala and the calf’s sire, Dora, and then monitored Amala

throughout her pregnancy,” said Zoo Director Steve Hinks.

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“It is well known that we have an experienced team who work in rhino conservation and this

birth is another achievement for a species under threat,” said Steve.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is the only facility in Australia which holds the greater one-horned rhino.

They have experienced great success in breeding rhinoceros. Three species live at the zoo – black rhino, southern white rhinoceros and greater one-horned rhinoceros. Earlier this year they welcomed a black rhino calf, Sabi Star.

Greater one-horned rhinoceros are native to India and Nepal where they are listed as vulnerable. Only 3,700 remain in the wild.

Learn more about Greater one-horned rhinos here – Greater One-Horned Rhinocerso Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about Taronga Western Plains Zoo on their website – Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Amala the greater one-horned rhinoceros with her calf born on October 17th 2021 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Photo Credit: Jake Williams