AssetID: 53229449
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Amazing Moment Baby Eastern Black Rhino Is Born At Chester Zoo Captured On Camera
Caption: Conservationists at Chester Zoo are celebrating the birth of a critically endangered eastern black rhino, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to protect the species. The female calf was also born in daylight, providing keepers with an amazing opportunity to capture the moment on camera. The eastern black rhino is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with fewer than 600 remaining in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. The birth of a healthy calf is seen as a positive step in preventing the species from becoming extinct. The eastern black rhino has been hunted and poached for its horn, contributing to its decline, but conservation efforts, including breeding programmes in European zoos, have shown success in increasing numbers. The zoo's Rhino Team Manager, Emma Evison was stunned that she and other staff managed to witness the special moment. “We’d been eagerly awaiting this birth for 15 long months and, as it’s quite unusual for a rhino to give birth in daylight hours, we really didn’t expect it to happen right in front of us as we were going about our day,” she explained. “To be able to witness the calf safely entering the world, in front of our very own eyes, was just the most incredible privilege. “What’s most important now during these first few days is that mum Zuri and her new baby spend some time bonding and getting to know one another. So far, the pair have been inseparable and the little one is feeding regularly and already gaining in size and weight. She’s very inquisitive and full of energy, which is just brilliant to see.” Emma also expressed her hope that the birth will help secure the species’ future. “Sadly this is a species that, for more than century, has been hunted down and poached for its horn before being sold on the illegal wildlife markets,” she added. “This precious newborn’s arrival is another positive step in safeguarding the species, which is what the endangered species breeding programme in European conservation zoos that we’re a leading part of is striving to do. This programme has already showed huge success, with a group of rhinos bred in zoo’s in Europe having been translocated to a protected National Park in Africa.” A breeding programme has already successfully translocated a group of rhinos to a protected National Park in Africa. Chester Zoo has also played a key role in developing technology to track rhino hormones, aiding successful mating and contributing to conservation efforts in Africa. Mike Jordan, Director of Animals and Plants at the zoo, explained: “Our efforts to protect this magnificent species extend far beyond the zoo’s boundaries and, while it’s incredibly positive news that conservation efforts across Africa have led to a small recovery in rhino numbers, giving them some much needed breathing space, we know there’s still lots of work to be to done.” He continued: “We’re home to the UK’s only zoo-based animal endocrine lab where we’ve developed the skills and techniques to track rhino hormones by closely analysing their dung. This has helped us to massively improve the chances of a successful mating and further increase numbers of this critically endangered species. The technology is so precise that we’re now transferring it to a specialist lab that we’ve helped to create in Kenya which is helping rangers and vets there to boost the wild population. “Zuri and her new arrival is testament to the unwavering dedication of conservationists here at Chester, and around the world, who are working to safeguard these incredible animals and ensure that they thrive long into the future.” Chester Zoo previously spearheaded a project in June 2019 that involved translocating a group of Eastern black rhinos bred in European zoos to Akagera National Park in Rwanda, Africa.
Keywords: eastern black rhino,rhino,feature,animals,nature,natural world,chester zoo,birth,video
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