TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A southern white rhinoceros was born at ZooTampa on Sept. 12, the zoo announced on Thursday.
Mother Alake gave birth to a calf, marking the sixth successful southern white rhino birth and ninth rhino in the zoo’s history.
The calf will be introduced to the rest of the rhino herd after bonding with its mom.
The southern white rhino lives in just four countries in Africa.
A record number of rhinos have been killed by poachers due to the high demand for keratin, a protein found in rhino horn that’s believed to have medical purposes.
“ZooTampa is deeply committed to the species’ continued survival, both at home and beyond. Every birth brings hope to the continued conservation of this incredible species,” said Chris Massaro, general curator at ZooTampa.
