The North Carolina Zoo is committed to being part of rhinoceros conservation initiatives both within the zoo community and internationally in order to ensure the survival of. Nandi weighed in at around 90 pounds at birth, and will gain 100 pounds a month in the first year. There are two types of white rhinos: the more populous southern white rhino and the nearly extinct northern white rhino. This was the first southern white rhinoceros born at the Zoo in 41 years. The 'white' in the animal's name does not refer to their colour but in fact comes from the Afrikaans word 'weit' which means wide and refers to the animal's mouth. The males can weigh in at 2.3 tons while females are slightly lighter at 1.7 tons. However their numbers are in decline due to poaching, habitat loss, introduction of invasive species and climate change.īoth male and female white rhinos typically feature two horns, with the longest at the front, a broad square-shaped upper lip and a thick neck to support their head. There are approximately 10,000 Southern white rhinos left in the wild, according to the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species. The rhino became the 11th white rhino born in the Florida attraction since it opened in 1998. Last year, Kendi, the first white rhino born at the Animal Kingdom in Florida in 1999, gave birth to a male calf on October 25. 'It's also the first time we have had two calves born so closely together, so we can't wait to watch them grow up as a pair, likely causing all sorts of mischief out on the safari.'
Nandi, which means sweet one in Zulu, was born at 4am on August 21 at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo to mother Tuli and father Sizzle