CUMBERLAND - The Wilds, a conservation center located 90 minutes east of Columbus, has a new addition to the family - a baby female white rhino.
The new member is the second fifth-generation white rhino to be born outside of Africa. Both fifth-generation calves were born at The Wilds. The calf's parents are named Anan and Roscoe, and the baby has a brother named Letterman, who was born at the Wilds in 2014. Anan's mother, Zen, was the first ever Rhino to be born at The Wilds.
"Every birth at The Wilds is significant, but this one is particularly special to us," said. "The Wilds is proud to be part of the conservation initiatives ensuring the survival of this species," said Dr. Jan Ramer, vice president of The Wilds.
The white rhino population fell to only 50-200 rhinos at the beginning of the 20th century - but through conservation efforts, the population has rebounded to about 20,400 animals. However, despite conservation efforts, the species is classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
All five remaining rhino species: white rhinos, black rhinos, greater one-horned rhinos, Javan rhinos, and Sumatran rhinos are hunted by poachers who sell rhino horn. The International Rhino Foundation has found that one rhino is killed every eight hours for its horn.
White rhino calves grow for 16 months before birth, and the babies can weigh up to 4,000 pounds and six feet tall at their shoulder. The new calf is healthy and nursing. The Wilds is a conservation center affiliated with The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
For more information go to TheWilds.org.
