First critically endangered black rhino born in North Yorkshire

Zookeepers at Flamingo Land have been celebrating the birth of the first critically endangered Eastern black rhino in North Yorkshire.

The baby boy was born in Malton on Sunday 24 October to mother Samira and father Magadi.

The final stages of pregnancy happened very quickly following a 16 month pregnancy, and luckily Zookeepers managed to capture the moment on CCTV.

Head Keeper at the zoo Sam DeBelle said: “We have waited so long for this baby, both mum and baby are doing incredibly well and I am so proud of Samira and all her keepers."

Black rhinos first arrived at the zoo in 2015 when mother Samira was transferred from Zurich Zoo as part of the European Ex-situ Programme managed by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. Father Magadi was moved over shortly after in 2019 from Chester Zoo.

Ross Snipp, the Zoo Manager and Park Executive, said: "All new births are exciting but there is added significance for this one, both for us and the global population”.

Flamingo Land will be sending another rhino, Chanua, to be released in Tanzania soon.

Owners of the zoo are hoping this will be the beginning of a much larger effort to conserve endangered species at home and abroad.