Endangered Indian rhino calf born at safari park

Keepers at a safari park have welcomed the birth of a rare Indian rhinoceros calf.

The baby rhino arrived at West Midlands Safari Park (WMSP) in Bewdley, Worcestershire, on 6 May.

The female calf is the second successful Indian rhino birth at the Park in its 52-year history - the first was the calf's half-brother in 2020.

The safari park said both mum and baby were doing well, after keepers had to step in to assist with the birth.

Veterinary nurse Sarah Smith said: "After a long, restless night monitoring the CCTV, the team continued their normal morning checks and found her behavioural changes that confirmed her labour was progressing.

"When we hadn't seen the usual progression we expected, closer inspection showed us there were back feet visible, telling us we had an abnormal delivery."

The Indian rhino, also known as greater one-horned rhino, is classed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

They are found in India and Nepal, but face threats such as poaching, habitat destruction and conflict with humans.

In the 19th Century they were hunted almost to extinction.

"A breech birth brings many difficulties, and research shows a large number require intervention and usually end in calf mortality.

"This can also lead to the mother's life being in danger, so we knew we had a short window of time to act.

We were able to apply calving ropes to the calf's hind legs and assist Sunny with her contractions and help birth the calf.

"We're so proud of her and the team," Ms Smith added.

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