Werribee Open Range Zoo is celebrating the birth of a southern white rhino.
The 60-kilogram male calf was born in the early hours of Sunday, August 18 to 15-year-old father Kifaru and 11-year-old mother Kipenzi following a 16-month pregnancy.
The calf’s birth is a major milestone for the zoo and breeding efforts for the species in Australasia.
Native to southern Africa, it is estimated as few as 10,080 southern white rhino remain in the wild.
Kipenzi’s gave birth to a calf in March 2023 that unfortunately died hours after its birth.
Despite being hand-reared, Kipenzi’s is forming a strong bond with her calf in her second chance at motherhood.
Werribee Open Range Zoo director Dr Mark Pilgrim said staff were thrilled to see the calf thrive.
“Kipenzi is taking extremely well to motherhood and has been very gentle, attentive and calm. She also calls him back if he strays too far.”
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos welcomed the news.
“We’re delighted to celebrate the birth of a southern white rhino calf at Werribee Open Range Zoo. I encourage families to take advantage of their free entry for kids this school holidays and learn more about the critical work being done to protect these treasured animals into the future,“ he said.
Southern white rhinos are classified as near threatened, facing threats such as poaching, habitat destruction and fragmentation as human populations and infrastructure grows.
The calf will be named in coming weeks through a voting competition for Zoos Victoria members and donors.
More information: www.zoo.org.au/werribee
