Super cute! Rare Indian rhino calf welcomed into the world at West Mids Safari Park
Keepers say they're excited to announce the baby's safe arrival
Last updated 13th May 2025
A rare Indian rhinoceros calf has been welcomed into the world at Worcestershire's West Midlands Safari Park.
She arrived last Tuesday to first-time mum Sunanda.
The incredibly cute female calf is the second successful Indian rhino birth at the Park in its 52-year history, with the first birth being the calf’s half-brother in 2020.
She arrived at 4:32pm on Tuesday 6 May.
We're told both mum and baby are doing really well, but she didn’t have the easiest start, as keepers have revealed how they had to step in to assist with the birth.
'We are so proud of her and the team'
Veterinary Nurse, Sarah Smith, said, “The wildlife and veterinary teams are well rehearsed with rhino births, but each birth presents its own journey. Sunanda didn’t follow all of the usual steps during the weeks leading up to the birth, but our experienced team were able to spot the initial signs of labour during the night of Monday 5th May.
“After a long, restless night monitoring the CCTV we attempted to continue our normal morning checks only to pick up on her behavioural changes that confirmed her labour was progressing. At this stage there was no intervention needed, so we continued to monitor her closely until contractions became obvious. When we hadn’t seen the usual progression we expected, closer inspection showed us there were back feet visible, telling us we had an abnormal delivery.”
She continued, “A breech birth brings many difficulties, and research shows a large number require intervention and usually end in calf mortality. This can also lead to the mother’s life being in danger, so we knew we had a short window of time to act. We were able to apply calving ropes to the calf’s hind legs and assist Sunny with her contractions and help birth the calf.
“Expecting the worst outcome for the calf meant we were fighting to save Sunanda at this point, but we were all truly delighted to see the calf was in fact alive and moving. Sunanda is showing the initial signs of being a perfect new mum, despite the difficulty she had just faced, and is continuing to raise her first calf in textbook fashion. We’re so proud of her and the team.”
Indian rhino are classed as ‘vulnerable’ to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and are part of a programme involving European wildlife parks to work together to help preserve endangered species.
'We are taking each day as it comes'
Lisa Watkins, Head Keeper of Ungulates, said, "We are thrilled to have had a beautiful female Indian rhino calf born at the Park, to mum, 13-year-old Sunanda (or Sunny for short). The birth is the first for the European EEP population this year and in fact the first to be born in the last 15 months, so this makes it even more special. The team are absolutely over the moon that both mum and calf are doing so well.
“We are taking each day as it comes, after a traumatic entrance into the world, but both mum and calf may have access to the outside paddock area when the weather is suitable, so guests visiting over the next few weeks may be able to catch glimpses of them. We hope to mix them both with Seto, our other female Indian rhino in the near future. Sunny is taking everything in her stride and the team are so proud of her.”
These rhinos are found in India and Nepal, but face threats such as poaching, habitat destruction and conflict with humans – in the 19th century they were almost hunted to extinction.
The authorities of India and Nepal, along with independent conservation organisations, have worked hard to protect the rhinos and now there are believed to be about 4,000 left in the wild.
West Midlands Safari Park supports and donates annually to Save the Rhino International, who work to protect all five types of rhinos in the wild.
The baby girl is yet to be named, but keepers will pick a name beginning with the letter ‘N’, as all babies born at the Park in 2025 will have names starting with this letter.
The calf brings the number of Indian rhinos at the Park up to four, which includes mum, Sunanda, female Seto and male, 17-year-old Rap, who is father to the youngster.