Endangered Eastern Black Rhino Calf Born at Atlanta Zoo

This weekend the Atlanta Zoo announced the birth of a black rhinoceros calf, a first in the zoo's 124-year history.

 The Rhino baby was born to a seven-year-old eastern black rhinoceros named Andazia and her mate, 9-year-old Utenzi. The newly born healthy unnamed calf will remain with its mother for some time. The mother and son pair is closely being monitored by the Animal Management and Veterinary Teams. Andazi is being a good mother by providing complete maternal care.

The zoo officials expressed their joy and delight in an official statement.

"We couldn't be more delighted about this birth. Not only is this a first for Zoo Atlanta, going all the way back to our founding in 1889, but this is a critically endangered species that absolutely deserves the spotlight right now," said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. "We hope that as we watch the calf grow up, we can spark new connections with wildlife that desperately need our support."

Way back in the last month of 2012, the officials had confirmed Andazi's pregnancy with the aid of fecal hormone assays at Saint Louis Zoo. In an ultrasound conducted in 2013, the Atlanta Zoo officials got their initial images of the calf.

The first time parents were mated under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Rhino Species Survival Plan that aims to maintain a genetically diverse, self-sustaining rhino population. 

Rhinos are known to have longer gestation periods when compared to other animals. The gestation periods ranges from 14 months - 18 months.

Eastern black rhinoceros, also called as the East African black rhinos, are listed as critically endangered animals as their population faces a great threat from poaching. The species is known for its grooved skin and long, lean and curved horn. In the last three years there has been a 90 percent drop in their population. They are mainly slaughtered for their horns, which are believed by some cultures to have medicinal value.  In 2011, its relative the western black rhino was declared extinct.