Whipsnade zoo need help naming new baby Rhino
A one-month-old rhino calf at Whipsnade Zoo has ventured outdoors for the first time so keepers are inviting the public to choose his name
A southern white rhino calf born on 2 October has made his debut outside, exploring Whipsnade Zoo’s expansive 21-acre paddock. Until now, the young rhino had stayed within his warm indoor den, but with November’s drizzly weather providing ideal conditions, he took his first steps in the open air, delighting in the muddy wallows.
Rhino keeper Michael Hepher described the calf’s excitement at being outdoors. “It's been amazing to see our newest rhino calf tearing around the paddock with mum today – he’s well and truly found his feet!” he said.
According to Michael, the calf has become more confident with each day. “He’s getting more curious about the world around him. We've seen him chasing the antelope and having great fun getting covered in mud, a favourite pastime of all our rhinos here at Whipsnade Zoo,” he shared.
Whipsnade Zoo has now called on the public to help name the calf. Visitors to the zoo’s website can vote on a selection of names, with the chosen name set to be announced next week. “Naming the baby is a special thing for the team, and we’d love the public to get involved with helping pick a name that suits him,” Michael explained.
The calf represents an important addition to the conservation programme for the species, as there are currently just 17,500 southern white rhinos left in the wild. By joining the European breeding programme, he will help contribute to a genetically diverse population within conservation-focused zoos.
In addition to his role in the breeding programme, keepers hope he will serve as an ambassador for raising public awareness of the threats facing rhinos in the wild, including poaching, habitat loss, and climate change.
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the charity behind Whipsnade, works globally on conservation initiatives, including the Rhino Impact Investment project. This programme focuses on sustainably protecting and recovering black rhinos, aiming to create a model for the conservation of other endangered species and protected areas.
Visitors to Whipsnade Zoo not only have the chance to see the new calf but also directly support ZSL’s efforts to protect wildlife worldwide. Further details, including ticket purchases, can be found on the zoo’s website at whipsnadezoo.org.