An endangered white rhinoceros was born at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Lake Buena Vista, FL, on October 25, 2020. The white rhino was birthed by Kendi — the first rhino born at the park back in 1999 — and fathered by Dugan. Kendi was pregnant for 16 months before giving birth to the male calf. The unnamed rhino baby is the 11th white rhino born at Disney World.
According to a news release from Disney, “Calf and mother are doing well under the keepers’ watchful eyes. While rhinos are gregarious by nature; for now, the calf is resting, nursing and bonding with his mom.”
Kendi and Dugan were paired together through a Species Survival Plan by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Native to Africa, the white rhino is listed as “near threatened” on the IUCN red list (International Union for Conservation of Nature), which estimates the population to be decreasing with only 10,080 mature individuals remaining in the wild. The species’ threats include hunting, trapping, and climate change.
The new birth at Disney World is good news for the species. Visitors to the park will soon be able to see the adorable baby at the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction.