A rare black rhino calf was born in April, at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW. The zoo celebrated the birth of the male calf, conceived using a world-first reproductive treatment for the critically endangered species, of which only 6500 remain in the wild.
The calf’s mother, Kufara, faced fertility issues after the birth of her first calf in April 2017; however, Taronga Western Plains Zoo has been involved in a collaborative rhino research program with other conservation partners including Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, and SeaWorld USA’s Species Preservation Lab. The research, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Taronga Foundation, assisted in the successful pregnancy.
“Knowledge of the species’ biology generated from this, and previous programs, was integrated into Kufara’s clinical treatment to address her infertility,” Taronga’s Manager of Conservation Science, Justine O’Brien said.
“This involved Kufara receiving a series of hormone treatments by our veterinary and rhino keeper teams and builds on a multi-decade program of rhino reproductive research at Taronga.”
The close monitoring of Kufara throughout the process also gleaned new information on the gestation length the species can experience, with her calf born 490 days after mating, which exceeds that of the longest reported length for black rhinos of 486 days.
The use of science to support best practice management of zoo-based rhino insurance populations forms part of the work at the newly opened Taronga Western Plains Zoo Wildlife Hospital. The new hospital has been developed to facilitate the highest level of care for both free-ranging and zoo-based animals, as well as advanced reproductive technologies aiding in the conservation and breeding of threatened species.
“This special birth is the result of an international research partnership in black rhino conservation and represents the fifth calf born into the conservation breeding program for the species in the last eight years,” black rhino supervisor, Jennifer Conaghan, said.
“Zookeepers were given a rare treat when they actually witnessed the birth. Historically southern black rhinos here at the zoo have been born overnight after a 14 to 16-month gestation. This little calf was born feet first at 11:15am.”
Kufara and her calf will continue to bond behind the scenes for several months, before making the move to the black rhino paddock, where they can be seen by the public.
JULIA GARDINER
PHOTO CREDIT: BRENT SHOARD