A BABY rhino born at West Midland Safari Park has been named Ekozu.

Keepers at the Bewdley tourist attraction have chosen the Namibian name, Ekozu, which means white rhino for the baby – who is the first rhino to be born at the park in a decade.

Six-year-old Ailsa gave birth to a male southern white rhino calf on Good Friday (March 25) following a lengthy 16-month pregnancy.

Ekozu is the first baby rhino to be born at the tourist attraction since his dad, Barney, who was born in 2005.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Bosses at the attraction said the youngster was up on his feet within an hour, demanding attention from his mum.

Southern white rhino are considered a conservation success story, with this particular subspecies being the most common of all the world’s rhino species. However, rhinos still face a huge threat in the wild due to habitat loss and more commonly, poaching.

Lisa Watkins, deputy head keeper of Ungulates, said: "This year all of the newborns will be named something beginning with the letter ‘E’.

"The keepers chose four African names and after much deliberation - and some input from our Facebook friends - we went for the name Ekozu, which translates to 'white rhino’, from the Namibian ‘Herero’ language.

"We chose this because of the park’s links with Namibia - we actively support the Namibian Wildlife Conservation Trust Also because we really like the name and it really suits him, both now and when he is older.”

The calf joins the four female and one male southern white rhinos already at the park. Visitors can see the rhinos and other attractions during the four-mile self-drive safari.

For more details visit wmsp.co.uk or call 01299 402114.