Indian Rhino Calf Born at White Oak Conservation Center

YULEE, Fla. – White Oak Conservation Center’s female Indian Rhino gave birth to a male calf on June 2, 2011. This birth marks the first Indian rhino born at White Oak Conservation Center and is the result of the Center’s collaboration with the AZA Indian Rhino Species Survival Plan. The infant’s sire (father) was the first Indian Rhino born in North America (1974) who came to the Center in 2006 from the Toronto Zoo after siring calves there.  The calf is doing well being raised by his dam (mother) who came to the Center in 2009 from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. 

“A new rhino calf is always an exciting addition for both staff and guests, but this particular birth took years of planning and coordination,” said Steve Shurter, Director of Conservation. “With the help of zoo partners, and a lot of patience and care from our vets and keepers, we were able to provide just the right environment for the parent rhinos to produce and raise their bouncing baby rhino calf.  We couldn’t be more pleased with the result.”     

The Indian, or Greater One-Horned Rhino, is considered to have a vulnerable status in the wild with a population of approximately 2,500 remaining. They are found in Nepal and India where they live in moist river valleys. The lifespan is expected to be 35-40 years old. The Indian rhino is known as the “plated rhino”, having thick shields of skin that protect the animal’s vital areas during attacks or fights with other rhinos.