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Zoo keepers in South Australia are celebrating the arrival of a new baby rhino, continuing their bid to contribute to the endangered species.
The southern white calf, named Imani, was born early yesterday.
The newest addition to Monogram Zoo at 50kg with mother Imqali giving birth after a 17-month pregnancy.
"Monart Zoo Keeper Haidee Kinter said." She looks really good at everything we can see and mum doing everything right, so we're pretty happy with everything.
The calf will be double in size in just two weeks, putting on two pounds in the coming months.
The birth is a special moment for keepers, with the poaching rate now exceeding the birth rate of rhinos in Africa.
In Africa, they are losing over a thousand rhinos a year, which is why many will be relocated to safety in Australia.
"Monarto Zoo is doing its bit to the white rhino population, with a rhino safari sanctuary set to open here in two years," Ms Kinter said.
Imani is the sixth calf Monarto Zoo has welcomed in the last 14 years.
"This sanctuary will create a viable rhino insurance population outside of Africa should the species become extinct," said Monarto Zoo Director Peter Clark.
"It's heartbreaking that rhinos are facing some serious trouble in the wild, experts predict that if we do not act now, they may be extinct in less than 10 years," he said.
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018
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