Black Rhino Calf
Mum Bakhita the Black Rhinoceros gave birth without any problems in the early hours of the morning. Bakhita is being a great first time mum and she is bonding well with her calf.
The calf has been named Kufara meaning “happiness” in the African Shona language. Kufara is extreemly confident and now even takes bananas from keepers hands. She is always mimicking her mum’s behaviours like rolling in the mud and eating leaves from branches. These are all positive behaviours, which is good to see.
Kufara’s birth marks the 11th Black Rhinoceros born at Taronga Western Plains and the first to be born of the second generation of Rhino at the zoo. Her mother Bakhita was born at Western plains in 2002.
Black Rhinoceros are considered critically endangered in the wild. This is mainly due to habitat loss and illegal poaching. Their horn is used in traditional medicines as well as being carved into ornate objects.
