Taronga Western Plains Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of Australia’s first Greater One-horned Rhino calf.

The male calf was born early on Sunday morning, 25 October, to first-time mother Amala.

Zoo Keepers are closely monitoring both mother and calf, and although it is still early days, report that both are doing well.

“Amala is being very protective of him,” said Unit Supervisor Jennifer Conaghan. “She is keeping her distance from us and keeping the calf close, which is what we expected to see. In the last couple of days Amala has brought the calf into a behind the scenes yard, and we’ve been able to monitor things more closely.”

“We have seen the calf suckling and although it is still only days old, we are extremely happy with the situation so far, and absolutely thrilled to have this new addition on the ground.”

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is home to three species of rhino – Black Rhino, White Rhino (Africa) and Greater-One horned Rhino (Asia), with breeding and conservation programs for all three species. The Greater One-horned Rhino breeding program commenced in 2009 when Amala arrived from Los Angeles Zoo to join resident male Dora which came from Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo in Japan.

“This birth is a credit to years of work by the Zoo’s dedicated Life Sciences team to successfully introduce the two, an introduction which has produced a healthy calf following Amala’s 15 month gestation,” said Taronga Western Plains Zoo Director Matthew Fuller.

“We’re the only Zoo in Australia to have three species of rhino, and three successful rhino breeding programs, so critical for these species that are all threatened in the wild.”

The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List with as few as 2700 animals left in the wild.

This birth follows the arrival of a Black Rhino calf at the Zoo earlier this year.

 “The situation facing wild rhinos is devastating. Taronga actively supports conservation efforts for wild rhinos in Africa, Indonesia and India, including providing funds and support for habitat protection and reforestation, anti poaching and rhino protection units and reduction of human-rhino conflict. We’re also a founding member of the International Rhino Foundation,” said Matt.

Amala and her calf will remain behind the scenes for the coming weeks where they can continue to bond.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is located in Dubbo, Central West NSW and is open every day from 9am – 4pm. For more information visit www.zoofari.com.au or call 6881 1400.

Media Contact: Kellsey Melhuish, Promotions & PR Coordinator                                            

T: 02 6881 1413 M: 0420 E: kmelhuish@zoo.nsw.gov.au