Endangered white rhino calf born at Dublin Zoo

By Kim O'Leary

Dublin Zoo has announced the arrival of its newest addition; a gorgeous Southern white rhino calf.

The male calf, who is yet to be named, was born to mother Ashanti and father Chaka at 1.45pm on Thursday August 25th and weighs approximately 60kgs.

The youngster joins the rest of the herd – Sam, Reni, Chaka, Zanta, Nyala and his mother Ashanti - at the African Savanna. The newborn is Ashanti’s fifth calf and is another significant success for Dublin Zoo as part of the European Endangered Species Programme established to assist the survival of the near threatened southern white rhinoceros.

It is estimated that there are only 20,000 of these rhinos left in the wild, with the majority located in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya. Poaching for rhino horn is the greatest threat to the species.

Dublin Zoo financially supports the conservation organisation Lowveld Rhino Trust, who are based in Zimbabwe and help protect rhinos from poachers. The children of  Ireland are being called upon to suggest a name for the rhino calf, by submitting a name to www.DublinZoo.ie.

Helen Clarke-Bennet, team leader of the African Plains said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the new arrival. Ashanti is an experienced mother and the birth was very relaxed. The mother and calf are bonding and will remain very close for the first year of his life."

 Next month on September 24th and 25th, Dublin Zoo will be hosting Rhino Awareness Weekend where visitors can learn about rhinos and the threats they face in the wild. The family event will have lots of fun activities including face-painting, nail art and much more!