Whipsnade Zoo has welcomed a second endangered reticulated rhino calf, just weeks after the arrival of another.
The male calf “is an important addition to Bedfordshire Zoo’s conservation breeding programme.”
He was born to mom Luna and dad Bashu on Monday, July 15, just three weeks after fellow mom Ijuma gave birth to a female.
Luna endured a ‘tough’ eight-hour labour before giving birth to her calf at 1am.
According to the Zoo, the newborn was up and exploring its new home after a few hours, but needed to be “carefully monitored” by keepers and veterinarians as its right front hoof appeared hyperextended, meaning it periodically bent the wrong way as it walked.
Whipsnade Zoo has welcomed a second baby endangered reticulated (above, and already 6ft tall) just weeks after the arrival of another
The two calves are pictured above exploring their pasture.
The male calf was born to mother Luna and father Bashu on Monday, July 15, just three weeks after his partner Ijuma gave birth to a female. The calf is pictured above with Luna.
Mark Holden, Head of Large Ungulates at Whipsnade Zoo, said: ‘We are very excited about the arrival of a second giraffe calf at Whipsnade Zoo – we have not had two giraffe calves born here at the same time in over 30 years.
‘Luna is taking very good care of her new member and keeps a close eye on him at all times, but right now he needs a little more attention from us and also from the vets.
‘He’s about six feet tall, he’s a big boy. He can stand and walk, which means he can comfortably suckle from his mother, but we need to make sure his front hoof can support all his weight as he grows.
‘We’ll be monitoring the new calf closely over the next few days to check on his hoof, but he seems to be straightening up now and was seen galloping around the paddock for the first time today alongside his new sister.’
Mark Holden, head of Whipsnade Zoo’s large ungulate team, said: “We haven’t had two giraffe calves born here at the same time in over 30 years.”
With the birth of the new calf, the number of giraffes at Whipsnade Zoo now totals six.
The zoo describes the calf’s arrival as a “welcome boost to the international conservation breeding programme (EEP) for reticulated giraffes,” which are endangered due to illegal hunting, habitat destruction and conflict with humans in unstable parts of Africa.
Visitors can book a ticket to see the giraffe herd, along with 10,000 other animals, on the zoo’s website at www.zsl.org/Whipsnade.
