Werribee Open Range Zoo in Melbourne, Australia, is currently celebrating the arrival of its newest resident: a rare southern white rhino calf.
According to the zoo, the calf was born earlier in August by proud parents—mother Kipenzi and father Kifaru—after a 16-month pregnancy. The calf is a male and weighs 132 pounds.
This is a big event considering that the southern white rhino is considered a threatened species with a population of 10,000. There are a number of white rhino breeding programs, with Werribee Open Range Zoo being part of one, looking to increase their population.
The visitors are still unable to see Kipenzi and the calf as they are kept in a secluded area. This will allow the pair to get to know each other and develop a mother-son bond. After several weeks, the calf will then be introduced to other rhinos before being unveiled to the public.
Speaking with The Guardian, Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Mark Pilgrim said that Kipenzi and the calf have already developed a great relationship.
“She’s being an amazing mum, really protective of [the calf] right now,” he said. “She’s doing her best to shepherd it and keep it close to her, and making sure that it’s not wandering off too far. So she’s just doing the perfect thing we expect a mother rhino to do.”
