With only 5,000 black rhinos left every baby is a welcome sight, especially when they are this cute. This little black rhino entered the world on Saturday July 12. He is an incredibly important individual for a species which is critically endangered.
What’s even better is that the calf is healthy and has been seen running around exploring his habitat.
This is all done under the watchful eye of mum of course. Lembe is a protective mother who has been showing all the right signs. When chasing the baby she has a tail up which is a sign or protectiveness and attention. When the rhino bub follows mum he trots closely behind. Occasionally though he stumbles as he is still getting used to his large feet.
Keeper Julie Anderson said, ‘Any birth here at the Park is an important birth, and we have been very fortunate to have a newborn baby here at the Safari Park.’
For the park this is their 15th rhino to have been born into their successful breeding program. The rhino’s in captivity are kept as safety net in case black rhino’s ever go extinct in the wild. It is a very real possibility after they have come under a threat from a number of angles. Anderson explained the main threat, ‘Poaching is the main reason why the numbers of black rhinos are on the decline.’
For the rhino bub’s mum Lembe this is her fifth calf with partner Jambia. When visiting the park guests can meet the black rhinos on the Africa Tram tour.
Photo Credit: San Diego Zoo Safari Park
