Baby Female Southern White Rhino Enters World At Zoo Tampa

TAMPA, FLA — A baby southern white rhino is now calling ZooTampa home after zoo officials announced the birth of the female calf over the weekend on social media.

Both the calf and her 20-year-old mother, Alake, are said to be doing well after the zoo newcomer entered the world in the overnight hours of June 6. The birth was the eighth of a southern white rhino at the zoo, officials said in a news release.

Alake was paired with a male Ongava through the Species Survival Plans, which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which ensures the survival of these protected species.

The new baby rhino, which has yet to be named, is expected to join another group of rhinos, known as a “crash” in the upcoming weeks, zoo officials said. The public will be able to get their first look at the female calf when the Expedition Wild Africa safari experience opens shortly.

For now, the baby appears to be strong and is nursing alongside her mother.

The population of southern white rhinos had nearly become extinct a few years ago when there were less than 200 of the species left. However, there are more than 20,000 of the rhinos that can be found in their native Africa. However, zoo officials said that the species remains considered endangered due to threats in the wild and illegal poaching that takes place with hunters in search of the rhino’s horns.