Adorable white rhino calf born on Mother's Day at Marwell Zoo named
Hope is blossoming at Marwell Zoo following the exciting birth of a white rhino, who has now been named.
Mother’s Day (Sunday, March 15) was one for the books after Zahra gave birth to a white rhino calf, sparking delight across the Hampshire conservation zoo.
Zahra, who joined Marwell in 2021, is eight years old, while her companion, Jabari, arrived from Dublin in 2015.
The exciting arrival has been possible thanks to Marwell’s involvement with the European breeding programme, alongside conservation work in the wild, which helps safeguard the future of this species, facing significant threat due to poaching for their horns and habitat loss.
A spokesperson for Marwell said: “Amali will play an important role in white rhino conservation as part of the European breeding programme when she’s older.She’s already full of personality - you might even spot her zooming around Wild Explorers this Easter.”
White rhinos are one of the world’s largest land animals. They have two horns and can live to 40 years-old. At eight-years-old Zahra is the youngest of Marwell Zoo’s four rhinos and is likely to have been pregnant for 16 months.
Zoological Director at Marwell Dr Will Justice added: “A huge thank you to our dedicated animal care team who support moments like this every day. We’ll share more updates as Zahra and her calf continue to settle in. The Rhino House remains open for visitors, though we ask everyone to help keep the area calm and quiet for Zahra and her calf.”