KEEPERS at West Midland Safari Park are delighted following the safe arrival of a new southern white rhino calf - the second to be born there in the past six weeks.
Second-time-mum, Keyah, gave birth to a male rhino calf at 11:42am on Sunday, June 27, following a pregnancy of 16 months.
Under the watchful eye of mum Keyah, who is 12-years-old, the calf was given a brief health check by his keepers who were able to confirm that he was a healthy weight and doing well.
This birth is a big triumph for the park, who only six weeks ago celebrated the birth of another southern white rhino, who has been named Jambo.
Both sharing the same father, the two brothers will grow up together on the park’s safari and likely become the closest of playmates.
Head of Wildlife, Angela Potter, said, “We are delighted to welcome another new calf to our crash of southern white rhino. It’s wonderful to see Keyah settling into motherhood so well, and she’s certainly going to be kept busy as her boy finds his feet.
“Celebrating another rhino birth here at the Park is a fantastic achievement, and further showcases the important role we have to play in being a part of the European Endangered Species Programme. Raising awareness of the vital conservation efforts needed to protect all five species of rhino in the wild, will always be the driving force behind our work here.
“It’s also the first time we have had two calves born so closely together, so we can’t wait to watch them grow up as a pair, likely causing all sorts of mischief out on the safari.”
The new-born is yet to be named, and the park is asking the public to make the final decision via their Facebook page from a shortlist of names supplied by their keepers, which will take place later this week. The name will begin with ‘J’, as all names of babies born at the Park in 2021 will begin with this letter.
The youngster has already made his first tentative steps into his paddock and staff are excited to see him join his ‘step-brother,’ five-week-old Jambo, on the safari drive-through in the weeks to come.
Including the new arrival’s father, fifteen-year-old Barney, the new calf brings the park’s crash of white rhino up to eight.
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