#Gestation period of a white rhino full#

A lucrative trade in rhino horn also contributed to near-extinction. As Europeans moved into the interior of Africa from the Cape in the 17th to 19th centuries, the settlers found rhino easy prey and a plentiful meat supply. At the end of the 19th century no more than 100 existed in southern Africa, most of them in the Umfolozi Game Reserve, in what is now the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The white rhino is the world's second-largest land mammal after the elephant and is something of a victory for conservation.

Mazithi, an 18-month-old calf and a male white rhino were part of a contingent of 12 of the rare animals destined for Australasian zoos from South Africa's Kruger National Park.

#Gestation period of a white rhino full#

It will take about two years for Keto's horn to grow to full size. The baby rhino will eat enough to add 3-4kg a day until she is fully grown Mazithi weighs a formidable 1.8 tonnes. She was not weighed at birth because Mazithi was 'fairly aggressively protective,' said Ms Turner. Keto is just above knee height and weighs 30 to 35kg. Mazithi's pregnancy was unenviably long - the gestation period for the white rhino is between 16 and 17 months. Keto has been kept inside with her mother, Mazithi, since the birth seven days ago. 'She's been tearing around the place, so we're just waiting for the rain to stop before she goes on public display,' said zoo spokeswoman Fiona Turner. She is 'a bit of a live wire,' according to staff. Waiting impatiently for the rain to stop yesterday so she could take her first steps outdoors, Keto - 'precious child' in Swahili - is the first white rhino born at the zoo. By ANNE BESTON A 'precious child' born at Auckland Zoo is the latest addition to a worldwide conservation success story.