Werribee Open Range Zoo welcomed a Southern White Rhino calf in the early hours of Sunday August 18. This sweet, 60-kilogram bundle of joy was born to 11-year-old mother Kipenzi and 15-year-old father Kifaru. The newborn is thriving and bonding well with his mother, and will be named in the coming weeks through a voting competition for Zoos Victoria members and donors.
Southern White Rhino calf at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Southern White Rhinos are classified as Near Threatened, and it’s estimated that only 10,080 of them remain in the wild. Threats to the rhinos include poaching and habitat destruction and fragmentation. The birth of this calf is a major milestone for both the zoo, and for the Australasian breeding program.
But, this birth is also major for the mum, Kipenzi, who has never seen or experienced successful mothering. Her own mother, Sisi, was quite protective and always kept her in sight. However, this prevented suckling, so Kipenzi had to be hand-reared by keepers and vets in order to survive. In March last year, Kipenzi gave birth to her first calf. Tragically, in the initial hours after the birth, she leaned her two-tonne self onto the calf, resulting in fatal trauma.
After a 16-month pregnancy, Kipenzi is now bonding with her new bub in a keeper-only area that was specially prepared for the calf’s birth. This private area is not available for viewing to the public.
“Vets and keepers closely monitored the birth of this second newborn and were prepared to provide support, if necessary,” said Werribee Open Range Zoo Director Dr Mark Pilgrim. “This time, Kipenzi has risen to the task and we are all so incredibly proud of her.” The newborn is regularly suckling, and keepers are continually monitoring their development and behavioural cues. “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.”
In the coming weeks, the calf will be introduced to the wider rhino crash. At a later date, he will be able to go to the Zoo’s savannah and meet the public.
In the meantime, visitors can see other Southern White Rhinos on the Safari Bus Tour, which is included in zoo entry.