Video: Baby rhino joins the family at Whipsnade Zoo

A baby one-horned rhino has been born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - just in time for this week’s World Rhino Day.
Bali - baby one-horned rhino born at ZSL Whipsnade ZooBali - baby one-horned rhino born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Bali - baby one-horned rhino born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Bali was born on September 6, weighing in at a whopping 76kg (almost 12 stone), and is the fourth calf for 19-year-old mother, Behan.

Her other calves have all moved to other zoos to breed, as part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP).

Bali is the 14th greater one-horned rhino calf to be born at Whipsnade, which has an exceptional record with its breeding programme for the species.

Bali - baby one-horned rhino born at ZSL Whipsnade ZooBali - baby one-horned rhino born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Bali - baby one-horned rhino born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade was one of the first zoos in the world to breed the species in 1957. ln the past 12 months there have been only four greater one-horned rhino births in three European zoos, with only one other in the United States.

Deputy team leader Veronica Watkins, said: “The whole team are very excited to see the safe arrival of our newest rhino.

“To be involved in bringing one of these endangered animals into the world makes all of our efforts feel worthwhile, and it makes celebrating World Rhino Day this year feel extra special.

“The labour was relatively straightforward. Behan was restless the previous night so we suspected the birth was imminent, but once her waters broke we were able to monitor her carefully through CCTV cameras, without interfering in the process.

“The following day Bali was up and about, looking around at everything inquisitively. Behan, who has always been an excellent mother to her calves, was staying very close to him.”

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