Southern white rhinos remain under threat from poaching for their horns. It’s amazing to welcome another little one.” “We’re thrilled to play our part in the fight to prevent their extinction and are so proud of the great work we’re doing to safeguard the future of this species. Numbers of these rhinos have been so low and every single addition to the EAZA Ex-situ breeding programme is celebrated. Mum and calf have bonded wonderfully and have been showing us all of the right signs. “The whole team here is absolutely delighted. The southern white rhino calf, who is a girl, was born on October 23 (Image: Knowsley Safari) The keepers were keeping a very close eye on her and spotted the signs of the impending birth last weekend and prepared the rhino house with a deep layer of straw to help the calf to stand – which typically happens just an hour later. We didn’t see any signs of pregnancy until just a few weeks before calving, when she was in its latter stages. Despite previously confirming the pregnancy, Meru’s due date past so we assumed she was no longer was. “Her arrival was unexpected until very recently. Each day that passes, she becomes a little more active and is already running around– she’s certainly very curious and confident. “As a very experienced mother, Meru has quickly adapted to being a mum again, and her calf is already up and about. Knowsley Safari’s Animal Operations Manager Chris Smart said: "This is yet another very exciting step forward in the conservation of this species and we are over the moon to welcome our 22 nd southern white rhino calf to be born here. The calf is as yet unnamed, and the safari will be asking for help to name her soon. She will nurse the new calf for around a year so visitors can expect to see her sticking close to her curious offspring as she explores her new surroundings and is introduced to the rest of the crash.Ī rare white rhino has been born at Knowsley Safari park (Image: Knowsley Safari) Mum Meru – who arrived at the safari in 1996, when she was two years old, from her birthplace of Edinburgh Zoo - gave birth to the last baby rhino to be born at Knowsley Safari back in 2018. The 100-acre habitat is home to its crash of eight white rhinos. The new calf is the 22nd be born at Knowsley Safari, in Merseyside, and is another success of the extensive European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s (EAZA) Ex-situ breeding programme. In the coming days, she will venture out into the outdoor enclosure where she can be seen by visitors.
The calf already weighs 10 stone and has spent her first few days with her mum in the warmth and quiet of the rhino house. READ MORE: Chester Zoo introduces brand new one-horned rhino baby - and you can name her White rhinos have a gestation period of 16 to 18 months. The mum had a calm and relaxed labour.Īs the mum had past her expected due date, it was thought that the pregnancy may not have progressed so the birth was a welcome surprise to staff. The southern white rhino calf, who is a girl, was born on October 23 to mother Meru. A rare white rhino has been born at Knowsley Safari park.
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