AssetID: 53281259
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Critically Endangered Eastern Black Rhino Calf Born At Oregon Zoo
Caption: This video shows: Jozi before giving birth. There’s new hope for one of the world’s most critically endangered species after an eastern black rhino was born at Oregon Zoo. The birth of a baby to 11-year-old rhino mum Jozi on Monday night contributes to the global population of the critically endangered eastern subspecies of black rhinoceros. According to caregivers, the newborn came into the world on 4 December 2023, around 9:30 p.m. Both the first-time mother, Jozi, and her new offspring are reported to be in good health within their behind-the-scenes maternity den. Chad Harmon, who oversees the zoo's rhino area, expressed excitement at the new arrival. “Everyone is really excited about it,” he said. “The most satisfying thing for me is to see Jozi taking such great care of her baby. These first few days are especially critical, so we’re being very cautious and giving them as much quiet time as possible.” To facilitate a comfortable bonding environment, Jozi and her baby are currently not on public view. Care staff are closely monitoring the situation, adopting a hands-off approach, while refraining from an immediate veterinary check since the calf is nursing well. The newborn's gender has not yet been determined. Harmon added: “Our care staff and veterinary team have prepared for this day, giving Jozi everything she needed for a successful birth. They’re ready to help if needed, but thankfully, Jozi’s doing a great job all by herself so far.” Rhino calves typically weigh around 100 pounds at birth, and the public will have to wait until the baby is a bit older and the weather is warmer before they can explore Rhino Ridge. Kelly Gomez, who oversees the zoo's Africa area, emphasised the ongoing threat to rhino populations. In 2011, the closely related western subspecies of black rhino was declared extinct. “These rhinos represent a species that’s among the most endangered on the planet,” Gomez said. “Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade have wiped out 96% of the world’s black rhino population. In South Africa alone, we’re losing almost a rhino a day. Hopefully, their story can help inspire a new chapter in the conservation of this incredible species.” The precious new arrival caps a positive month for the species, as another baby eastern black rhino was born at Britain’s Chester Zoo in mid-November. “We’ve gone from half a million to a few thousand rhinos left in the blink of an eye,” noted U.K. naturalist Steve Backshall. “While those left in the wild are ludicrously precious, the rhinos that are in zoos (which were bred there, born there and cannot ever be released into the wild) are of disproportionate importance to their kind.” Born on September 8, 2012, at the Pittsburgh Zoo, Jozi, weighing around 2,400 pounds, moved to the Oregon Zoo in 2021 from the Milwaukee County Zoo. She joined the male rhino, King, the baby's father, who arrived from Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo earlier in the same year. These moves were based on recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for rhinos, aimed at creating genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations for the long-term future of these endangered animals.
Keywords: eastern black rhino,rhinocerous,rhino,animals,nature,natural world,feature,video,photo
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