One of the most amazing projects that zoos work on every day is the conservation of endangered animals. This involves everything from rescuing animals under threat, protecting those in the wild, and encouraging the creation of the next generation. Rhinos are a particular focus for many zoos, because they are on the brink of extinction from overhunting.
Like elephants, rhinos are often the victims of poachers, who hunt the animals for their ivory horn, which is a valuable commodity throughout Asia. This little guy, Gertjie, even had to make his own interspecies family after his mother was killed. That’s part of the reason that this video is so very precious!
The Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark was very pleased to welcome its littlest new member, a very cute and wobbly male rhino calf. He’s the first rhino calf born at the zoo in 35 years, to a pleased and proud mama rhino in their cozy straw-lined barn. He’ll be with her until he’s weaned and gets too large to share the space. (Though, with a birth weight of approximately 110 lbs, he’s not exactly starting small, much like his hefty human equivalent, Avery. Those are some big babies!)
After he arrives on the scene, she delicately nudges him with her nose until he gets up and tries out his new legs. Watch his first tentative attempt at balancing, so adorable!
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