At just 27 days old, the male Southern white rhino calf is thriving and growing stronger every day. Recently he met his two older sisters, four-year-old Nyah and two-year-old Amali, for the first time. This meeting was full of curiosity and playful bonding – just as our keepers had hoped – and next week he’ll be introduced to his father Zambezi.
This morning marked an exciting milestone as he stepped into the outdoor habitat for the first time! Initially cautious under the watchful eye of his mother Jamila, he gradually grew more confident. Before long, he fully embraced this new space – enjoying his first mud wallow, and lots of zoomies.
For now, his time outdoors will be limited to a few hours each day without a fixed schedule, allowing him to explore at his own pace. As his confidence grows, he’ll gradually meet other species in the habitat, including the nyala and waterbuck, and eventually, he’ll work up to spending full days outdoors.
Bring your whānau to visit him this weekend!
