Through its Conservation Fund, the Kansas City Zoo is working with several programs in Africa that are working to stave off poaching and protect these incredible animals. The biggest threat to rhinos continues to be poachers who desire the rhinos’ horns. There are just 53 eastern black rhinos in facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), so zoo officials say this arrival is not only exciting for the Kansas City Zoo but is very important for the subspecies as a whole. With only about 740 left in the wild, it is the rarest of the three remaining black rhino subspecies and can be found in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. This is a first calf for both.Įastern black rhinoceros are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Zuri, 15, was born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Ruka, 11, at the Saint Louis Zoo. Zuri’s animal care specialists trained with her in preparation for the regular checkups, so she was able to participate in her own care by patiently standing for the ultrasounds.īoth Zuri and father, Ruka, arrived in Kansas City from the Oregon Zoo in April 2018 on the recommendation of the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan (SSP). Throughout her pregnancy, Zuri received weekly ultrasounds and blood hormone monitoring. The black rhinoceros gestation period is typically 15-16 months. Once they’ve had that bonding time, a neonatal exam will be performed in the coming weeks to confirm gender and overall health. The rhino barn is being kept quiet with limited human interaction to allow mother and calf plenty of time to bond, which is a very important process. Zoo officials say Zuri has been a patient and attentive first-time mother. ![]() ![]() The rhinos’ animal care specialists say that the calf is walking, nursing, and even playing spar with mom. The calf and mother, Zuri, are both doing well.
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