A British safari park has just welcome a new Indian rhinoceros baby.
The adorable animal arrived last Tuesday, 8 September, and is the first of his kind to be born at the West Midland Safari Park since the park opened 47 years ago.
He doesn’t have a name yet, but the gorgeous mammal is doing well – as are his parents, mum Seto and dad Rap.
The pair have lived at the park since they were young and are apparently ‘bonding well together’ after the birth of their baby boy.
But why is the arrival of this rhino so remarkable?
Beyond the fact that he is beautiful, the unnamed animal is also part of a species that only exists in small quantities across the globe.
While it is not endangered, thanks to numbers having improved over recent years, the Indian rhino is still under threat, according to the IUCN Red List.
‘We are absolutely delighted and have been waiting a long time for this moment,’ said Shelley Tudor, deputy head keeper of ungulates (mammals with hooves).
‘After holding this species of rhino for over 10 years, this is our first calf to be born at the Park.
‘We acquired Seto and Rap as youngsters and have been able to watch them grow and mature over time; which makes it even more momentous to see them produce their own calf.’
Shelley also hopes that in time, the unnamed baby rhino will have little ones of his own.
She added: ‘He is a very special addition to the Asian rhino House, and we look forward to watching him develop, and maybe go on to produce his own little rhinos in the future.’
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