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The Wilds celebrates the arrival of a great one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), born at the conservation center in the early morning hours of August 16. Sanya, an experienced mother, gives excellent care to her calf and keeps the female calf close to the Wilds pasture.
The animal management team have monitored the couple and note that the calf appears to be strong and healthy. Calves typically weigh over 100 pounds at birth and gain a few pounds each day. An adult large unicorn rhino can reach a weight of around 4,000 to 6,000 pounds.
This calf is the ninth largest one-horned rhino to be born to The Wilds, and each birth is a significant achievement as the species came close to extinction during the 20th century.
Sanya, born at the Toronto Zoo in 1999, has given birth to six calves since arriving at The Wilds in 2004. This is the second offspring of the calf’s father, Jahi.
The Wilds is home to five large one-horned rhinos and is one of only 19 AZA-accredited facilities in North America to care for this species. The Wilds are also home to 15 southern white rhinos and have hosted a total of 25 white rhino births since 2004.
The Wilds is the only facility outside of Africa with white rhinos born four and five generations distant from their wild-born ancestors.
“We are extremely happy to welcome this calf to our Wilds family. Each rhino is important to the future of its species, and this calf and the other rhinos in The Wilds are wonderful ambassadors for their cousins in their home range ”, said Jan Ramer, senior vice president of animal care and conservation at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds.
“We are proud of the success of our rhino program, and we remain committed to their care while providing our guests with the opportunity to be inspired by these wonderful animals and empowered to help make a difference. “
Once listed as an endangered species, the great one-horned rhino has seen its population increase steadily thanks to strict government protection. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species now lists the great unicornuate rhino as vulnerable. According to the International Rhino Foundation, this species has grown from less than 100 individuals to more than 3,700 today in their range of countries India and Nepal. However, these rhinos continue to face threats including invasive grasses invading their habitat and extreme weather events like flooding caused by climate change. They are also killed by poachers who sell rhino horn for traditional ornamental or medicinal purposes, although there are no scientifically proven health benefits for its use. The horns are made of keratin, the same substance that makes up the nails and hair.
To further protect the future of rhinos, The Wilds and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which operates The Wilds, have provided more than $ 218,000 over the past five years to support conservation projects benefiting rhinos in their ranges. original. Columbus Zoo and The Wilds are currently supporting three rhino field projects through the International Rhino Foundation, the National Trust for Nature Conservation, and Akagera National Park (Akagera Management Co.)
The new calf may be visible to guests on an outdoor safari or a Wildside Tour. The Wilds is open daily until September, then weekends only in October. For more information or to schedule a visit, visit TheWilds.org.
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