I always love a good, old endangered-animal-pregnancy story. The only thing more inspiring than a newborn is a newborn whose existence promises to save an entire species. All the more so when that expected newborn is a rhino.
I’ve never actually seen a baby rhino up close, but I bet they’re really cute. Somehow the ugliest animals can have some of the cutest young (see camels, porcupines and chihuahuas).
Conservationists around the world are popping the cork on the bubbly this week in celebration of the rare event. The Sumatran Rhino is one of Earth’s most endangered species, according to a press release. There are estimated to be only 200 Sumatran rhinos in the wild and only ten in captivity.
“Sumatran rhino numbers have decreased by more than 50 percent over the last 15 years in the wild,” said Dr. Susie Ellis, executive director of the International Rhino Foundation.
The pregnant female rhino, Ratu, was born in Indonesia, while the male, Andalas, is one of the three Sumatran rhinos that have been born in captivity. Considering that biologists have been trying to get rhinos to reproduce for more than 112 years, the promise of a fourth captive delivery is certainly something to party about.
“A combination of sound science, international collaboration among government, non-profits, and zoos, as well as timing and personal chemistry, has led to this groundbreaking event,” said Dr. Ellis.
Ratu and Andalas did the dance at Indonesia‘s Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park. The area is Ratu’s home; she was found wandering in a nearby village in 2006. Andalas, on the other hand, came into this world in 2001 at the Cincinnati Zoo and was raised at the Long Angeles Zoo. He came to Indonesia in 2007 via an almost three-day trip by plane, truck and ferry.The baby is due in May 2011.
Photo courtesy of wAlanb via Flickr.