Nature & Environment
First Endangered Black Rhino Born in Lincoln Park Zoo Since 1989 [VIDEO]
Benita Matilda
First Posted: Sep 02, 2013 04:34 AM EDT
An eastern black rhino calf was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo last week, after almost 23 years.
The 60-pound eastern black rhino calf, born to 8-year-old Kapuki and 27-year-old father Maku, is currently bonding with his mother at the Harris Family Foundation Black Rhinoceros Exhibit. This is the first rhino born at the zoo since 1989 and the mother-child pair is under a constant watch by the animal care staff.
"The calf and his 8-year-old mother, Kapuki, are doing 'wonderfully,'" curator of mammals, Mark Kamhout, told the Sun-Times Media. "The calf joins three adult black rhinos, including his mother, at the zoo. The calf divides his time between nursing, following mom around, and napping, and that is exactly what a baby rhino should be doing." Kapuki and Maku were encouraged to breed under the Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program that is managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The aim is to maintain genetically diverse, self sustaining rhino population.
At the Lincoln Park, the authorities are taking strict measures to protect the species. In order to successfully breed the pair of Maku and Kapuki, the zoo staff used several techniques.
This is the second black rhino born in the U.S. as last month a baby rhino was born to a seven-year-old eastern black rhino named Andazia and 9-year-old Utenzo at the Atlanta Zoo. It was the first rhino born at the zoo in its 124-year history.
The arrival of these two species is good news as black rhinos are facing a huge conservation crisis in the wild. Rhinos are illegally slaughtered for their prized horn that unfortunately carries medicinal value and is promoted as a curing agent for hangovers, sexual problems and the deadly cancer. The cost of horns is $25,000 per pound. The wild rhinos are endangered and their population has dropped to just 5,055.
The eastern black rhinos also referred as the East African black rhinos are known for their long, lean and curved horns. There has been a 90 percent drop in the population in the last three years.
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First Posted: Sep 02, 2013 04:34 AM EDT
An eastern black rhino calf was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo last week, after almost 23 years.
The 60-pound eastern black rhino calf, born to 8-year-old Kapuki and 27-year-old father Maku, is currently bonding with his mother at the Harris Family Foundation Black Rhinoceros Exhibit. This is the first rhino born at the zoo since 1989 and the mother-child pair is under a constant watch by the animal care staff.
"The calf and his 8-year-old mother, Kapuki, are doing 'wonderfully,'" curator of mammals, Mark Kamhout, told the Sun-Times Media. "The calf joins three adult black rhinos, including his mother, at the zoo. The calf divides his time between nursing, following mom around, and napping, and that is exactly what a baby rhino should be doing." Kapuki and Maku were encouraged to breed under the Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program that is managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The aim is to maintain genetically diverse, self sustaining rhino population.
At the Lincoln Park, the authorities are taking strict measures to protect the species. In order to successfully breed the pair of Maku and Kapuki, the zoo staff used several techniques.
This is the second black rhino born in the U.S. as last month a baby rhino was born to a seven-year-old eastern black rhino named Andazia and 9-year-old Utenzo at the Atlanta Zoo. It was the first rhino born at the zoo in its 124-year history.
The arrival of these two species is good news as black rhinos are facing a huge conservation crisis in the wild. Rhinos are illegally slaughtered for their prized horn that unfortunately carries medicinal value and is promoted as a curing agent for hangovers, sexual problems and the deadly cancer. The cost of horns is $25,000 per pound. The wild rhinos are endangered and their population has dropped to just 5,055.
The eastern black rhinos also referred as the East African black rhinos are known for their long, lean and curved horns. There has been a 90 percent drop in the population in the last three years.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone