Hooray, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomed a baby white rhinocero! The female calf was born on Tuesday, October 23, on the 26-acre white rhino habitat on Busch Gardens’ Serengeti Plain.
The baby is the second calf born to mother Kisiri and the seventh calf born to father Tambo. Busch Gardens has celebrated a total of seventh white rhino births since October 2004. The new baby weighed an estimated 140 pounds at the time of the birth. The newborn – who has yet to be named – will gain approximately four pounds each day until it reaches an adult weight of approximately 3,500 to 4,000 pounds.
Busch Gardens participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) to ensure genetic diversification among threatened and endangered animals in zoological facilities. The birth brings the total white and black rhino population at the adventure park to eight.
Kisiri, Tambo and another female white rhino were airlifted from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 2001 through the efforts of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of rhinos. Fewer than 15,000 white rhinos remain in the wild, and approximately 200 live in zoological facilities across North America.
Hamlet the mini pig does everything to get his oatmeal, even if that means he has to overcome his fear of stairs. Look how he nose dives into that bowl from the last step…
Lucy, a two year old mixed Portuguese Waterdog, and Whiskey Brown, a four year old Quarter Horse stallion, are playing in the pasture. Looks like great fun!
Meet Einstein, the world’s smallest horse. He is only 20 inches tall, but a huge star. He even appeared on Oprah! In April he will turn one, a day that will be celebrated with the release of his first book called A Friend for Einstein.
More adorable pics, whole story at the Mail Online.
