Victoria, a Southern White Rhino at the San Diego Safari-Park gave birth to a healthy male calf thanks to artificial insemination, making history.
San Diego, United States of America – Over the weekend, history was made at the San Diego Safari-Park thanks to the successful birth of a southern white rhino calf. This was the first rhino born following hormone-induced ovulation and artificial insemination.
Victoria, their female southern white, gave birth to a healthy little boy at the Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Centre. The zoo shared their happy news on Facebook along with an adorable video of the calf spending time with mom.
“The pitter-patter of little hooves at the Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center ushered in a historic milestone yesterday as Victoria gave birth to a healthy male calf.
Animal care staff reported that Victoria did extremely well and remained calm during the 30-minute labour. The calf is nursing well, and mother and baby are bonding in a quiet nursing setting. Artificial insemination of southern white rhinos has rarely been successful; this is the first successful artificial insemination birth of a southern white rhino in North America and brings us one step closer to saving the northern white rhino from extinction. We invite you to share your messages of congratulations for Victoria and all the staff who worked so hard to get to this moment.”
Take a look at the beautiful video below.
“All of us at San Diego Zoo Global are elated with the arrival of this special rhino calf,” said Barbara Durrant, Ph.D., Henshaw endowed director of Reproductive Sciences, San Diego Zoo Global.
“We are so pleased Victoria and the calf are doing well. She is very attentive to her baby, and the calf is up and walking, and nursing frequently. Not only are we thankful for a healthy calf, but this birth is significant, as it also represents a critical step in our effort to save the northern white rhino from the brink of extinction.”
This is incredible news not only for the zoo but for the world. He is already so loved by the global community. We cannot wait to see this natural beauty thrive and grow.
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