A newborn eastern black rhinoceros can call Atlanta home.
Andazi, a 7-year-old rhino, gave birth to a male calf late Saturday evening, according to a press release from Zoo Atlanta. It is the first eastern black rhino to be born at Zoo Atlanta.
Deputy Director of Zoo Atlanta Dwight Lawson said the calf is in good health.
“The mom and calf are bonding and things appear to be going well,” Lawson said.
The calf does not have a name yet and a date for public viewing has not been determined, Lawson said.
Andazi and her 9-year-old mate, Utenzi, were recommended to breed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Rhino Species Survival Plan, according to the release. This is the first calf by Andazi and Utenzi and he will not share space with his parents. Black rhinos are solitary in the wild and only come together for breeding.
Lawson said the rhino population recently has taken a dramatic hit due to poaching. Being able to breed one is special, he said.
Andazi was confirmed pregnant in December 2012. Rhinos typically have one of the animal kingdom's longer gestation periods ranging from 14 to 18 months, according to the news release.
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