Yorkshire Wildlife Park is celebrating the first birth of one of the rarest mammals on earth

Award-winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park is celebrating the first birth in the Park’s history of a critically endangered Black Rhino calf, one of the rarest mammals on earth. 

Mum Najuma, 7, was pregnant for a 15 months before giving birth on January 16th – an event of great significance as international conservation efforts continue to protect the species both through the efforts of zoos and wildlife parks and in the wild.

The male calf, who already weighs 73 kilos, has spent his first few weeks in the rhino house under the watchful gaze of Najuma who is an excellent new mother. Rangers decided the time was right for him to explore the outdoor reserve as he has grown stronger and increasingly lively over the past week.

The expansive reserve was a big place for a small rhino calf and he stayed close to his mother as they went on an exploratory trot around to the delight of watching animal staff.

Both Najuma and dad Makibo, 8, joined YWP in 2018 as part of an international breeding programme to save the species, which is classed as Critically Endangered.

Director of Animals Dr Charlotte MacDonald said: ”This very special birth is fantastic news for everyone here at YWP. Every birth is a milestone in our global conservation efforts.

"The newborn calf is becoming such a character and bound to become a visitor favourite.”

Eastern Black Rhinos are the rarest of the 3-remaining subspecies. Between 1970 and 1992, their population declined by 96% to 2300 from a devastating period of poaching for their horns.

Thanks to global conservation efforts, Black Rhino numbers have steadily risen to around 6000 individuals. The European Breeding Programme currently holds around 100 individuals in various wildlife parks and zoos.

The Wildlife Foundation, a charity based at YWP, has worked closely with Save the Rhino International and Fauna and Flora International funding projects protecting them from poachers and preserving their habitat. Visitors to the park have donated thousands to the Wildlife Foundation to support its vital conservation and welfare work.