Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announces birth of a baby rhino

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced Friday that 14-12 months-outdated Japanese black rhino Kibibbi gave beginning to a feminine calf on July 9. They are equally undertaking nicely.

The new rhino is Kibibbi’s third calf, and her second with male rhino Forrest. The new calf is the only 1 of the three that at present life at the Cleveland Zoo. One particular of the calves was despatched to the Buffalo Zoo around a calendar year in the past, and the other went previously this year to the Dwelling Desert Museum, a zoo in Palm Desert, California.

The Eastern black rhino is a critically endangered species, with much less than 750 remaining in the wild due to habitat loss and poaching for their horns.

“We will not reintroduce her back into the wild,” the zoo’s Government Director Chris Kuhar advised Ideastream Community Media. “But what she is is an ambassador. She’s the possibility for us to talk about the conservation messaging. She’s an opportunity for us to communicate about unlawful wildlife trade, the value of preserving rhinos from poaching.”

Even though the calf is carrying out properly, readers will have to wait a very little though lengthier to see her. Kibibbi and her calf are at the moment not on display screen, Kuhar stated, as they have interaction in important bonding time. They will possible be seen to the community by the middle of August.

In the meantime, the zoo is asking the public to vote on the calf’s new title. The 3 alternatives are Ali, which implies supreme, Anika, that means sweet, and Dalia, which implies light.

The money elevated as part of the naming vote will assistance rhino conservation initiatives through the African Wildlife Basis.

Kuhar suggests an additional way to support animal conservation is to stay clear of obtaining animal merchandise abroad.

“When you get to journey, stay away from getting items like shells and rhino horns and factors like that, for the reason that that is seriously supporting a harvesting business,” he explained. “That’s a single simple way you can aid wildlife.”