Second Rhino Born Via Artificial Insemination At Safari Park

ESCONDIDO, CA — The San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido welcomed its second southern white rhino born through artificial insemination last week.

Amani, an 11-year-old southern white rhino, gave birth to the female calf shortly before 1 a.m. Nov. 21 at the Safari Park's Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center, according to the zoo. The calf is the 100th southern white rhino born at the Safari Park, and the second southern white rhino born through artificial insemination in North America.

"We are so excited to welcome another healthy calf to the rhino crash at the Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center," said Barbara Durrant, San Diego Zoo Global's Henshaw endowed director of reproductive sciences.

"We are very pleased Amani did so well with the birth of her first calf, and she is being very attentive to her baby. The calf is up and walking, and nursing frequently, which are all good signs. Not only are we thankful for this healthy calf, but this birth is significant, as it also represents a critical step in our effort to save the northern white rhino from the brink of extinction."

Animal care staff inseminated Amani in July 2018. She ultimately carried her calf for 498 days.

Staff also artificially inseminated southern white rhino Victoria in March 2018. Victoria gave birth to her calf, Edward, at the end of July.

The two births are part of a larger effort to save the northern white rhino, a distant relative of the southern white rhino. There are only two northern white rhinos alive in the world and both are female.

Researchers hope to bring the species back from the brink of extinction by using stem cells and preserved northern white rhino cells to birth a rhino calf within 10 to 20 years, using southern white rhinos as surrogates. If the plan proves successful, researchers could attempt similar assisted reproduction techniques with the critically endangered Sumatran and Javan rhinos.

"The birth of each rhino calf is a moment for celebration," San Diego Zoo Global President and CEO Paul Baribault said. "Although we rejoice with each birth, we know that the recovery of a species requires collaborative work to build sustainable populations that can thrive in native habitats."

Amani and her yet-unnamed calf will remain in a private habitat to continue bonding and allow the calf to nurse and grow.

Edward first began meeting with other rhinos in the Safari Park's herd at the beginning of October. Victoria and Edward and the rest of the herd can be viewed at the Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center from the Safari Park's Africa Tram.

Also see:

• Pregnant Rhino In San Diego Could Help Save Subspecies
• Second Southern White Rhino Pregnant At San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Rhino's Historic Birth Could Help Save Subspecies From Extinction
• Rhino Calf Explores Main Exhibit For First Time At Safari Park

City News Service and Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.