Southern White Rhino Born At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Zoo Safari Park in northern San Diego County has welcomed a baby southern white rhino.

The male calf was born Aug. 6 at the Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center at the park in Escondido. The calf was conceived through natural breeding and was born to first-time mom Livia and dad J Gregory.

Safari Park staff said the calf is "healthy, confident and full of energy."

"We are so pleased Livia and her calf are doing so well," said Jonnie Capiro, the Safari Park's lead wildlife care specialist.

"Seeing this energetic little rhino running around, wallowing in the mud and just being generally curious is very rewarding," Capiro said. "While this is the first time Livia has given birth, we expected she would be a great mother — and she proves this every day."

The birth is part of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's Northern White Rhino Initiative, which is dedicated to saving 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 through innovative reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer using banked genetic material from northern white rhinos. If the plan proves successful, researchers could attempt similar assisted reproduction techniques with other rhino species, including critically endangered Sumatran and Javan rhinos.

"All rhino births are significant, and this calf's birth represents an essential step in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's Northern White Rhino Initiative, showing Livia can carry a calf to term and care for her offspring," said Barbara Durrant, director of reproductive sciences at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. "This is vitally important, as Livia is now among the female rhinos at the Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center who could potentially serve in the future as a surrogate mother to a northern white embryo."

For now, Livia and her unnamed calf will remain in their private habitat while they continue to bond, according to the Safari Park. The calf will eventually be introduced to the other rhinos living at the Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center.

Also see:

• Second Rhino Born Via Artificial Insemination At Safari Park
• Rhino Calf Explores Main Exhibit For First Time At Safari Park