Mabaso the white rhino calf continues to grow bigger and stronger every day and at nearly 9 months old he has now been mixed with our giraffe out in the Kingdom of the Wild paddock!

All went well on their first meeting even though young Mabaso was very curious to meet the giants and did initially entertain himself by playing chase and getting under their long legs and large feet! He quickly realised that this is not the safest place for a small rhino to be and overall has been keeping a respectful distance!

This step comes 8 months after Mabaso was first introduced to the outside and mixed with the other residents, the only other animal left for Mabaso to meet from the Kingdom of Wild paddock is dad Otto but whilst Mabaso is smaller the two will continue to be kept apart. 

Mabaso was born to mum Cynthia last year on the 11^th July after a 16 month gestation period. He was given the name ‘Mabaso’, after the head game keeper at Colchester Zoo’s UmPhafa Reserve, Siboniso Michael Mabaso who sadly passed away not long before our calf was born. ‘Michael’ as he was known on the reserve, had been a part of the UmPhafa project since its start. He had an unrivalled knowledge of the area and took his job extremely seriously and was utterly dedicated to conservation.  As an endangered species the white rhino depends on the conservation work of people like Michael and so it is with great pleasure that we have named our calf in memory of him.

Mabaso continues to do well, growing bigger with each passing month! He can be seen at the Kingdom of Wild paddock along with our other savannah residents.

The white rhino is listed as near threatened on the IUCN red list. Due to the current poaching crisis this birth is vital to the survival of this species and Colchester Zoo is proud to be part of conserving this magnificent mammal.

Colchester Zoo’s charitable arm, Action for the Wild, supports a Rhino conservation project in the wild. To find out more or to donate please visit www.actionforthewild.org