Earlier today, Dublin Zoo announced the arrival of a new family member: a Southern white rhinoceros calf.
The yet-to-be-named female calf was born on Thursday, January 2 to its mother, Nyala, and is estimated to weigh approximately 50kg.
The calf joins her father, Chaka, and half-brother, Fionn, as the newest member of the seven-strong herd, also known as a crash, in Dublin Zoo's African Savanna.
Helen Clarke-Bennett, team leader of the African Plains said: "Our team is thrilled to welcome the arrival of another Southern white rhinoceros calf to Dublin Zoo.
"These animals were on the verge of extinction in the 20th century, and there are only approximately 16,000 of them left in the world today.
"Nyala is a very attentive mother, and it is wonderful to watch the pair develop their amazing bond as the days go on. The calf is cautious and stays quite close to her mother, however, we can already see glimpses of her outgoing personality and look forward to watching her integrate with the herd at Dublin Zoo."
The baby rhino's arrival marks a significant success for Dublin Zoo as part of the European Endangered Species Programme, established to assist with the survival of the Southern white rhinoceros.
It is estimated that 16,000 of these animals exist in the wild and the majority are found in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Kenya. Poaching for rhino horn is the most significant threat to the wild population, so Dublin Zoo currently takes part in a European breeding programme for the species.
Additionally, the zoo financially supports the conservation organisation Lowveld Rhino Trust in Zimbabwe, whose rangers help protect rhinos from poachers, treat wounded and orphaned rhinos, monitor rhino populations and are involved with community outreach programmes.
The happy news comes just months after the arrival of an Indian rhino calf named Jai - the only Indian rhino ever born in Ireland, and one of only six Indian rhino births in any zoo in the world this year.
Listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with 3,300 living in the wild, Jai was born on 19 September after a gestation peirod of 16 months, to mother Maya and father, Jamil.
