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The thud of tiny rhino feet are to be heard at Colchester Zoo once again!

in Animals
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We are happy to announce the exciting news that our female white rhino Emily has once again conceived naturally after breeding with Otto, our male rhino. This is fantastic news for their species which continue to face an ever-growing poaching crisis.

Emily joined us here at Colchester Zoo in September 2003 and in April 2013 she successfully gave birth to her first calf, a female named Pembe who is also fathered by Otto. Emily has been an excellent first-time mother and has cared for Pembe over the last 3 years as she continues to mature into adulthood and we’re sure Emily will do just as good a job second time round! Emily’s new-born will have a playmate still as our young male calf Mabaso remains with us here at Colchester Zoo.

pembe-and-mum

Emily and first calf Pembe. 

Emily is due in January 2017 with a rhinos gestation period being a whopping 16 months!

Check out this great video, captured by the keepers of Emily's calf moving inside her:

The white rhino is the largest of the five rhinoceros species and one of the world’s biggest land animals, it is also considered to be one of the most sociable of the rhino species.

Breeding occurs throughout the year and the young calves are very active soon after birth, as we have seen in all 3 of our young calves Zamba, Pembe and Mabaso over the years!  We look forward to the coming months and to welcoming the new arrival in January 2017!

Keep up to date on Emily’s pregnancy on our website and social media!

Colchester Zoo’s charity Action for the Wild also supports Save the Rhino International and their Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in South Africa which monitors and protects both black and white rhino.

You can find out more about their work and how you can help here.

OPENING TIMES

5.00pm close or dusk if earlier
Last admission to zoo grounds at 4.00pm

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