Already showing signs of a “forthright” personality, this is the second offspring of Kipenzi, an 11-year-old southern white rhino, one of the most populous rhino subspecies. Born on August 18th, this baby rhino has been fortunate to receive his mother’s full attention, unlike her firstborn whom she tragically rejected years ago.
The newborn and his mother are momentarily secluded from the public eye as they strengthen their bond. However, visitors will soon get a chance to witness the adorable calf prancing around his enclosure. According to Dr. Mark Pilgrim, the zoo’s director, Kipenzi is doing an excellent job as a mom – guiding her baby and ensuring he doesn’t wander off too far.
Kipenzi herself was born at Werribee Zoo in 2013 to Sisi, another resident rhino. Sisi was overly protective of her calf and wouldn’t let Kipenzi out of her sight even for nursing.
The public will be invited to participate in naming the new rhino calf in the coming weeks. The name Kipenzi translates to “precious one” in Swahili, setting a high bar for the baby’s moniker.
Dr. Pilgrim anticipates that the calf will grow up to be quite a handful. He told The Guardian, “He’s going to be a real handful later on.”
WATCH those first steps below…
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Source: Good News Network
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