Fota Wildlife Park in Cork announces second ever birth in Ireland of rare Indian rhino

Fota Wildlife Park in Cork has announced the birth of a rare Indian rhino, the second to ever be born in Ireland, according to the zoo.Also known as the greater one-horned rhino, the Indian rhino is estimated to have a population of 4,000 in the wild. It is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.Like the other two species of Asian rhino – the Javan and the Sumatran – the IUCN says the Indian rhino is threatened with extinction.It is the largest of Asia’s three species and is native to the grasslands and floodplains of northern India and southern Nepal.The male Indian rhino calf was born on July 13th to mother Maya and father Jamil, both of whom are aged 13 and weigh about two tonnes each, with Fota saying it follows a “remarkable period of conservation breeding successes”.These include the births of other threatened species such as the Sumatran tiger and the Asian lion.The calf’s mother Maya, who was born in Rotterdam Zoo, was brought to Fota in 2020 as part of an endangered species breeding programme. Its father was born in Whipsnade Zoo in the UK and came to Fota in 2015.Senior ranger Liam McConville said staff were “absolutely delighted” when the calf was born.The “very healthy” calf, which is yet to be named, is Maya and Jamil’s second.Male Indian rhino calf born on July 13th to Maya and Jamil, the second of its species born in Ireland and at the wildlife park. Photograph: Michael O'Sullivan/OSM PHOTO “The young male calf is doing exceptionally well. Maya has been a fantastic mother and is incredibly protective of him.“We’ve been keeping a close eye on both of them, and she rarely lets him stray too far while he explores the habitat. During the recent warm weather, we even saw her gently guide him back into the shade whenever she felt it was getting too hot,” McConville said.Noting that the Indian rhino was once “pushed to the brink of extinction” due to hunting and illegal poaching of its horn, he said: “Every birth plays an important role in raising awareness of the need to protect these incredible animals”.[ Rare white-tailed sea eagle chick born in Fota Wildlife ParkOpens in new window ]