Baby Black Rhino Born After Big Wait at Zoo Miami

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: March 25, 2021 8:50 pm

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake hatchlings at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Photo Credit: Ron Magill/ Zoo Miami

An extra long 15 month pregnancy came to an end for black rhino Circe at Zoo Miami on February 24th as she welcomed a healthy calf. She welcomed her healthy male calf in the rhino barn at the zoo.

Since the birth keepers have allowed the mother and calf to bond in an off-display area without external stress. Circe has proven to be a protective mother who regularly nurses and cares for her calf.

The black rhino calf which was born at Zoo Miami

Photo Credit: Ron Magill/ Zoo Miami

The father of the calf is 21 year old Eddie. He and Cercie have welcomed three calves together since he moved to Zoo Miami from Bush Gardens Tampa in 2006.

Circe was born at the Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina and arrived at Zoo Miami on a breeding loan from the Los Angeles Zoo. This calf marks her fourth calf.

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Zoo Miami is among the most successful zoos in North America for breeding the black rhino. Over the course of their breeding program they have welcomed a total of 13 calves.

This conservation work is important for a species which has decreased from over 100,000 individuals at the start of the 20th century down to an estimated 5,000 today.

Black rhinos are being driven to extinction due to demand for their horn which is formed from keratin, the same substance as human fingernails. In some cultures this is thought to have medicinal benefits which has never been proven.

The black rhino calf which was born at Zoo Miami

Photo Credit: Ron Magill/ Zoo Miami

Recently mother and calf have begun to spend time in the display habitat. This usually occurs in the morning but will extend out to cover more of the day as the calf becomes more comfortable on exhibit.