Dublin Zoo has announced the birth of a southern white rhinoceros calf.
The male calf, yet to be named, was born to mother Nyala and father Chaka last Sunday and weighs approximately 50kg.
The new arrival is Nyala’s first calf and the birth marks a significant success for Dublin Zoo, as part of the European Endangered Species Programme, which was set up to help the survival of the southern white rhinoceros.
The newest member of the herd now joins Sam, Reni, Chaka, Zanta, Nyala, Ashanti and Zuko, born at Dublin Zoo in 2016.
The new rhino calf is settling in extremely well in the African Plains.
Visitors will be able to get a glimpse of mother and calf by looking through the window into the Rhinoceros House.
Around 20,000 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.
Dublin Zoo financially supports the conservation organization Lowveld Rhino Trust, who are based in Zimbabwe and help protect rhinos from poachers.
Helen Clarke-Bennet, team leader of the African Plains said: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome another southern white rhinoceros calf to Dublin Zoo."
"The newest addition to the herd is Nyala’s first calf, which is very special and she has taken to motherhood extremely well. The calf is healthy, strong, feeding well and full of life already," she added.
