Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Endangered Black Rhino Born at Lincoln Park Zoo

By Emily Morris | August 29, 2013 12:48pm
Black Rhino Born at Lincoln Park Zoo
View Full Caption
Lincoln Park Zoo

CHICAGO — The Lincoln Park Zoo announced the newest member of its Eastern black rhino family, the first of the critically endangered species to be born at the zoo since 1989.

“Mother and baby are both doing wonderfully,” zoo curator of mammals Mark Kamhout said in a statement. “The calf divides his time between nursing, following mom around, and napping, and that is exactly what a baby rhino should be doing.”

The calf, which weighs 60 pounds, was born on Monday and joins the zoo's three other black rhinos. As adults, the rhinos can weigh up to 3,000 pounds, zoo officials said.

The wild black rhinoceros is a critically endangered species, and recent estimates peg their numbers at 5,000 total, according to the zoo.

The cafe was born after its 8-year-old first-time mother, Kapuki, mated with 27-year-old Maku in "a cooperative breeding and management strategy overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums," the zoo said.

“This birth is cause for great celebration here at Lincoln Park Zoo and has been much anticipated,” Kamhout said in the statement.

But those hoping to see the new calf will have to wait as it bonds with its mother "behind the scenes," the zoo said.

The zoo suggested visitors check back on its website and social media pages for more information about when the baby, which has not yet been named, will make its public debut.

Also Monday, the zoo announced the birth of an endangered white-cheeked gibbon.  The small ape was born in mid-August.