New Baby Rhino’s Name Chosen By... Her Father: NC Zoo

ASHEBORO, NC — A new baby rhino born at the North Carolina Zoo earlier this month finally has a name, thanks to a public poll and a hungry rhino, the zoo announced Friday.

The female southern white rhino was born July 2 to parents Linda and Stormy, becoming the first to be born in the zoo in 41 years. To celebrate her arrival, the zoo chose seven potential names of strong female historical leaders and left it to the public to decide the top three choices in a poll. Those chosen were Nandi, Mamba and Diana.

From there, father Stormy made the final decision, according to the zoo. While rhino father's are not known to be particularly present in the lives of their offspring, they are known to have an appetite. The zoo displayed the top three name choices on poles stuffed with Timothy hay, which is a favorite treat.

“He immediately trotted over to the pole that was named ‘Nandi,’” zoo officials announced July 27. Nandi was queen of the Zulus and mother of Shaka, King of the Zulus who was considered a great African military leader, the zoo said.

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If you didn’t get a chance to weigh in on Nandi’s naming, you’ll have another opportunity soon. A second female rhino was born July 13 and the zoo will soon begin the process to name her.

With the addition of the two babies, the zoo’s rhino population has reached nine. Seven of the nine are in public-viewing habitats, while two older rhinos are kept in a retirement habitat, the zoo said.

Photos courtesy of the North Carolina Zoo