The birth of a critically endangered Eastern black rhino is cause for celebration this month at a zoo in Ohio.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced last week that the male calf was born on Saturday, Sept. 13, and remains behind the scenes bonding with his mother, 22-year-old Kibibbi. His father is 25-year-old Forrest.
At birth, black rhino calves can weigh 65 to 100 pounds, according to Save the Rhino. They can stand within the first few hours. They nurse for about two months, but sometimes up to a year, and stay with their mother for two to four years.
Adult black rhinos weigh about 2,000 to 3,000 pounds and stand over 5 feet tall at the shoulder, according to Save the Rhino.
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There are fewer than 600 Eastern black rhinos remaining in the wild, zoo officials said. Of the four black rhino subspecies, one is extinct, two are critically endangered and one is near threatened, according to Save the Rhino. The most significant threats to black rhinos are poaching and lack of suitable, safe habitats.
“Every birth is significant and is an opportunity to bring awareness to the conservation issues faced by this species,” said Chris Kuhar, zoo executive director.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has a long history of caring for this species, working alongside global conservation partners to secure a future for rhinos in the wild.
The calf’s public debut and name have not yet been announced. The zoo plans to ask for the public’s help in giving a calf a name.
“Follow Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s media channels for an opportunity to help name the calf in support of rhino conservation,” officials said.
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