Whipsnade Zoo reveal name of new baby rhino
The southern white rhino calf, born in early October, has been named Kulu, meaning 'significant' and 'small' in Zulu.
A new addition to the southern white rhino herd at Whipsnade Zoo was officially named Kulu after being born on 2 October.
The calf, a male, is the first child of seven-year-old mother Fahari and father Naswar, also known as "Sizzle". Sizzle, at 35, has fathered 16 calves as part of the zoo's conservation efforts.
Alex, a keeper at Whipsnade Zoo, introduced Kulu, describing the importance of each rhino birth in conservation. "Any birth in the zoo is quite important as part of the European breeding programme. We are lucky to have had three new calves in recent years, with Nandy in 2021, Benja in March of this year, and now Kulu."
Southern white rhinos are considered near threatened in the wild due to poaching and habitat loss.
According to Alex, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which operates Whipsnade, works to address these threats worldwide. “ZSL works across the globe to conserve wildlife,” he stated. "We have scientists and conservationists striving to help wildlife thrive in their natural habitats."
Kulu, whose name means "significant" and "small" in Zulu, was aptly named due to his petite size at birth, a notable contrast to his larger half-brother Benja.
In the spacious enclosures at Whipsnade, Kulu enjoys sprinting around and interacting with visitors. "He's got the 'zoomies'," Alex shared. "In the paddock, he loves running around, and indoors, his little hooves sound like castanets."
The zoo, alongside other European facilities, manages the genetic diversity of these animals through an organised breeding programme, with each birth carefully planned to ensure sustainability. The programme also considers space for each new arrival. "Our role is to maintain a viable population," Alex explained. "Nothing is left to chance."
Alex noted that if the species’ numbers decline critically in the wild, zoos might one day consider reintroducing rhinos like Kulu into their native habitats. However, Alex emphasised that addressing issues like poaching and habitat loss would be critical to ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for any reintroduction efforts.