Cumberland, OH – The Wilds is celebrating a significant conservation achievement with the birth of a third rhinoceros calf this season.
The male calf was born overnight in The Wilds’ pasture on October 25, 2021, to mother, Agnes. The Animal Management team notes that Agnes and her bundle of joy are both doing well. Along with the rest of the southern white rhino herd, Agnes and her calf have started spending some time inside the large rhino barn due to the recent falling temperatures but may still be out in the pastures on warmer days. The calf, who is currently unnamed, continues to nurse alongside his mother. His care team notes that he is a big boy and growing rapidly—already, he is even a bit taller than a female rhino calf, who was born three weeks earlier!
Agnes, who was born at The Wilds in 2014, is an experienced mom. This calf is her second and the fourth calf that father, Kengele, has sired. Kengele was born at the San Diego Safari Park in 1998 and has been living at The Wilds since 2012. The pairings of Agnes and Kengele was recommended through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP). The SSP program is designed to maintain a sustainable population and genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species in human care.
In addition to the arrival of this recent calf, there was cause for celebration earlier this season when The Wilds welcomed the birth of a female southern white rhino calf on October 5 to mother, Anan, and father, Kengele. A female greater one-horned rhino calf was also born at The Wilds on August 16 to mother, Sanya, and father, Jahi.
The calves and their mothers continue to bond and are doing well. Greater one-horned rhinos are more solitary by nature (except for mothers and their calves like Sanya and her baby). At The Wilds, they are housed separately from the southern white rhinos. The greater one-horned rhinos are still spending their time in the pastures and will eventually move into their barn within the coming weeks. The southern white rhinos are more social, and these two calves have already met in the pasture. The Animal Management team takes their cues from the animals, who determine when they are ready for next steps. Agnes still tends to spend some time apart from the rest of the herd, so when Agnes and her calf are inside, they stay in the maternity stalls. Agnes and her calf will gradually be introduced back to the rest of the southern white rhino herd, which will likely result in a flurry of activity among the rhino calves due to their occasional playful rhino “zoomies.”
The conservation center is well-known for its successful rhino breeding program. It is the only facility outside of Africa with rhinos born four and five generations removed from their wild-born ancestors. This most recent calf is the 27th white rhino born at The Wilds throughout its history and marks the eighth fifth-generation calf born at the facility. The number of southern white rhinos at The Wilds now totals 17 rhinos (five males and 12 females) in the herd or “crash”—another name for a group of rhinos. The Wilds has also welcomed the births of nine Asian one-horned rhinos since 2005. In addition, The Wilds is home to five greater one-horned rhinos and is one of only 19 AZA-accredited facilities in North America to care for this species.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the white rhino population had dwindled to an estimated 50 to 200 individuals. However, through conservation efforts, the population of white rhinos in their native range in Africa has rebounded to about 20,400 animals. Even with the increase in numbers, the species remains classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). All five remaining rhino species in Africa and Asia (white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, greater one-horned rhinoceros, Javan rhinoceros and Sumatran rhinoceros) are killed by poachers who sell rhino horn for ornamental or traditional medicinal purposes even though there are no scientifically proven health benefits for its use. The horns are made of keratin—the same substance that makes up fingernails and hair. The International Rhino Foundation estimates that one rhino is killed every 10 hours for its horn.
White rhino calves are born after a gestation of 16 months and they can grow to be 4,000 pounds and 6 feet tall at their shoulder. Their habitats typically consist of plains or woodlands, interspersed with grassy openings. Through conservation efforts, their native range has been protected in southern and eastern African countries.
Their physical characteristics are two pointed horns and a wide mouth suitable for grazing. The name white rhinoceros originated from the Afrikaans word describing the animal’s mouth – wyd, meaning “wide.” Early English settlers in South Africa misinterpreted the word wyd for “white.”
“Every rhino birth is significant for these species’ future, and to welcome three rhino births this season is certainly quite special. In addition to successes in breeding rare and endangered species, The Wilds is renowned for contributing to scientific research benefiting species in their native ranges, developing hands-on educational programs, and offering various opportunities so guests can be inspired by wildlife. The animals and their well-being are always at the heart of all we do, and each one fits within a larger conservation picture. Our team is proud of the continued success of the rhino program, and—as someone who recently became an official member of The Wilds’ team—I am also proud to join these efforts as we continue to grow our work to make a difference,” said Dr. Joe Smith. Dr. Smith officially began his role as Vice President of The Wilds on November 1, 2021.
To further protect the future of rhinos, The Wilds and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which manages The Wilds, have provided more than $218,000 over the last five years to support conservation projects benefiting rhinos in their native ranges. The Columbus Zoo and The Wilds currently support three rhino field projects through the International Rhino Foundation, National Trust for Nature Conservation, and Akagera National Park (Akagera Management Company). The International Rhino Foundation’s project supports law enforcement, translocations, and community development to benefit the greater one-horned rhino in India, while the National Trust for Nature Conservation’s project supports the conservation of the greater one-horned rhino through rhino monitoring, veterinary support, and a community awareness program in Chitwan National Park. Additionally, the Akagera National Park project supports a reintroduction effort, including providing uniforms and rations for rhino patrol units, to help the eastern black rhino in Akagera National Park in Rwanda. The Columbus Zoo is also active in the AZA's Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program for black rhinos.
Recently, The Wilds announced it will now be serving in another important role as the operations base of a new initiative. The Wilds has teamed up with the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and four other partner research facilities to form the American Institute of Rhinoceros Science (AIRS)—a model for saving species with science ex situ (which means off site or outside natural habitat).
The AIRS operations will be located at The Wilds and include an operations manager and an intern to collect data. This new initiative was made possible by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
The team, which includes collaborators from Disney’s Animal Kingdom®, George Mason University, the South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, and Stellenbosch University, South Africa, will focus on the high priority research needs of rhinos in zoos that the AZA Rhinoceros Research Council identified in 2019. These priorities are:
1) physical fitness and its relation to health
2) iron storage in browsing rhinos
3) reproductive success
4) behavioral and environmental factors that maximize rhino well-being
Over three years, the scientists will conduct research within each pillar on overlapping subjects and examine the effect across all pillars. Data collected from all studies will be compiled in a centralized database accessible to all AIRS members. Ultimately, AIRS will provide affordable and feasible management recommendations to veterinarians and animal care staff at the 74 AZA-accredited facilities caring for rhinos.
Guests who visit The Wilds may have an opportunity to see the new calves in the coming weeks during a Winter at The Wilds Tour. For more information or to schedule a tour, please visit TheWilds.org and follow The Wilds’ social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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About The Wilds
The Wilds, one of the largest conservation centers in North America, is home to rare and endangered animals from around the world along with hundreds of indigenous species. The mission of The Wilds, a nonprofit organization managed by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, is to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife. The Wilds is located at 14000 International Road in Cumberland, Ohio, about 90 minutes east of Columbus. Normal hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day from May through October. For more information, visit TheWilds.org.
