Baby Rhino Joins the Crash at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: August 28, 2021 2:40 am

Nandi the southern white rhinoceros calf was born in the morning of August 21st at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in the United Kingdom

Photo Credit: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

The southern white rhinoceros crash at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, the United Kingdom’s largest zoo just got a little bit bigger. At 4am on August 21st mother Tuli welcomed a healthy female calf.

Keepers at the zoo have chosen the name Nandi for the calf which means ‘sweet one’ in Zuli. The father of the calf is known as Sizzle.

Nandi the southern white rhinoceros calf was born in the morning of August 21st at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in the United Kingdom

Photo Credit: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

With the latest arrival the zoo’s southern white rhinoceros herd, otherwise known as a crash, now includes eight members. The new arrival will be an important part of the crash which is part of the European Endangered species breeding Programme.

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Tuli has proven to be a great mother of the calf as Mark explained, “Tuli is very protective right now, so we’re letting them rest away from the group and out of sight of visitors, but in a few days they’ll both start to feel more confident about Nandi venturing out and getting to know the rest of the herd.”

Keepers

Nandi the southern white rhinoceros calf at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in the United Kingdom sizes up her horn alongside 14 year old mom, Tuli

Photo Credit: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Southern white rhinoceros are the world’s second largest land animals. Unfortunately their numbers are decreasing as a result of poaching, habitat loss, climate change and competition with invasive species.

At present Nandi and Tuli are bonding before the scenes but guests at the zoo can meet 9,500 other animals including a two week old zebra.

Nandi the southern white rhinoceros calf at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in the United Kingdom rests alongside her mother Tuli in a pile of hay

Photo Credit: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Learn more about the Southern White Rhinoceros here – Southern White Rhinoceros Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about ZSL Whipsnade Zoo on their website – ZSL Whipsnade Zoo