Colchester Zoo welcomes baby White rhino
It's the sixth White rhino to be born at the zoo in Essex.
The male calf was born to first-time mum, Astrid, after the zoo closed on Wednesday 14th October.
It was announced in February that 7-year-old Astrid was expecting, and while it was her first, keepers said she took labour and birth in her stride.
The Animal Care Team were watching via CCTV during birth in case they needed to intervene, but thankfully it went well and the calf was born at 9.45pm.
They knew she was in labour due to her behaviour change earlier that evening.
Within an hour of birth, with some reassurance from mum, the calf was able to stand and shortly suckled from Astrid.
For now, both mother and calf will stay inside and out-of-view so their progress can be monitored, and the little-one will be allowed to explore more gradually before being let outside when he is big enough.
The calf won't be named until he is a little older and his personality grows, but Colchester Zoo says their supporters will be able to take part in the process.
They will let people vote for their favourite name to support Colchester Zoo's Operating Fund, with the name that raises the most money being chosen.
White rhinos are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to poaching, so the new addition is important news for the conservation of the species.
Colchester Zoo says the birth comes at a very important time where they have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, as well as the recent loss of Lioness, Malika.
You can support Colchester Zoo via their website.