The Wilds Introduce Greater One Horned Rhino Calf

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: August 24, 2021 12:45 pm

The greater one horned rhino calf born on August 16th 2021 at The Wilds is pictured with her mother Sanya

Photo Credit: Grahm S. Jones/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Wilds in Ohio have welcomed a greater one horned rhino calf to experienced mother Sanya. The calf was born at the conservation center in the early hours of August 16th 2021. Keepers say Sanya has been keeping her calf close and giving it excellent care.

Animal care staff have been monitoring the care and say it is currently strong and healthy. Each day it is gaining a few pounds as it grows to an eventual adult weight of between 4,000 and 6,000lbs (1,814-2,721kg).

The Wilds have provided a great boost to the population of great one-horned rhinos with nine calves having been born.

Mother Sanya has contributed six of these calves since her arrival at The Wilds in 2004. This is her second offspring with male Jahi who came to The Wilds in 2017.

The greater one horned rhino calf born on August 16th 2021 at The Wilds

Photo Credit: Grahm S. Jones/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Sanya and Jahi were paired as part of a breeding recommendation through the Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to maximize the genetic diversity and increase the population sustainability of threatened and endangered species in human care.

Jahi was moved to a SSP Sustainability Partner facility in Florida earlier this year on another breeding recommendation.

Currently 19 AZA-accredited facilities in North America hold greater one-horned rhinos with The Wilds being home to five. The Wilds also provide a home for a herd of 15 southern white rhinoceros having bred 25 of the species since 2004.

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“We are extremely excited to welcome this calf into our Wilds family. Every rhinoceros is important to the future of their species, and this calf and the other rhinos at The Wilds are wonderful ambassadors for their cousins in their native range. We’re proud of the success of our rhino program, and we remain committed to their care while also providing our guests with the opportunity to be inspired by these wonderful animals and empowered to help make a difference,” said Dr. Jan Ramer, Senior Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds.

The greater one-horned rhinoceros was previously listed as an endangered species. Luckily strict government protection has lead to a steady increase in their population and they are now listed as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservancy of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species™.

Their population has risen from just 100 up to 3,700 in India and Nepal. Unfortunately they still face threats such as invasive grasses taking over their habitat, weather extremes such as climate change and poaching for medical use of the horns.

The Wilds provide financial support for conservation of wild rhinoceroses.