A rhino has been born at a Devon zoo, in what is believed to be the first birth of its type on a webcam.( Watch the LIVE Webcam HERE - Opens in REAL player)
Sita, a black rhino at Paignton Zoo, gave birth to a calf at 2010 GMT on Monday, watched by thousands of people on the BBC Devon website. Sita-watchers have been observing her day and night for weeks.
The girl calf, who has not yet been named, appears to be doing well and took her first steps overnight, delighted zookeepers said.
Neil Bemment, head of mammals at Paignton Zoo, said: "We're really pleased we've had a successful birth.
"Everything seems to have gone smoothly. Sita is a little bewildered by the new arrival. Sita was exhausted after her labours and we were relieved when she allowed the calf to suckle for the first time. The calf doesn't seem in any hurry to get up, but it seems to be happily twitching its ears."
The calf had difficulty standing up in the first five hours after the birth and was eventually helped by keepers to take its first steps early on Tuesday.
Black rhinos are among the most endangered species in the world and are listed as critically endangered. The population dropped by more than 90% between 1970 and the mid 1990s when it reached a low of about 2,400.
3 comments:
I watched the LIVE Cam for a long time! So cute!
After further viewing, I just want to add... it sorta looks like giving birth to that horn might have hurt a tad.
Rhino's lady bits must be made of strong stuff !
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