ADVERTISEMENTThis is the moment (see video, below) CCTV captured the birth of rare baby rhino at Chester Zoo in north-west England.
The Eastern black calf was one of two born within days of each other.
The new arrivals will boost numbers of the species, which are critically endangered after numbers declined by more than 90 percent over the last three generations.
Tim Rowlands, curator of mammals at the zoo, said: “These two births are a magnificent boost to the endangered species breeding programme and offer new hope for these wonderful animals. Eastern black rhinos are one of the world’s most high profile species, teetering on the brink of extinction in the wild. We cannot underestimate how important these animals are to the future of their species.”
The first calf was born on June 19, while the second arrived a week later.
It is thought there are less than 650 of the rhinos left in their native Africa.
Mike Jordan, the zoo’s collections director, said: “It’s superb to see the new calves taking their first steps; as we consider that each and every rhino calf is so important to the future of the species.
“We are one of a number of conservation organisations working in Africa – including Save the Rhino International and the International Rhino Foundation – to ensure the long-term survival of both black and white rhinoceros in the wild.