The Zoological Center Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan, also known as the Safari, is celebrating a new arrival for one of its rare species, a baby white rhino. Last week, female rhinoceros Tanda delivered a healthy male rhino calf, the fourth for the 23-year-old mother. Tanda was transferred to the zoological center 13 years ago from Jerusalem's Biblical Zoo. After mating with Atari, a 36-year-old male, Tanda gave birth to her first-born Tibor in 2007, in 2012 she delivered her second male, Terkel and two years later she delivered Teshi, the first female white rhinoceros born in the zoological center in more than 20 years. Mother and calf will soon be reunited with the safari's other rhinos. The white rhinoceros, which hails from southern Africa, finds a very similar climate in Tel Aviv and in recent years the zoological center in Ramat Gan has been committed to breeding this highly endangered species. "She is nursing him and taking very good care of him," said Gali Berkovich, an enrichment coordinator and animal trainer at the park. "Rhinos are highly endangered animals ... so this is why every birth is very important not just to us but for the entire species."
Video: Reuters
Sagit Horowitz, spokeswoman for the Safari reported that days before the birth, "Tanda began producing milk, and drove away her two-year-old daughter, Teshi. The Safari's caretakers realized that delivery due date was nearing, and separated her from the rest of the herd in an enclosed area designed for labor."
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שיתוף כתבה
Israeli zoo welcomes newest resident: Newborn white rhino
Female white rhinoceros Tanda delivers healthy male calf at Ramat Gan Safari • Mother, calf are healthy, will soon rejoin the herd • "Rhinos are highly endangered animals ... so this is why every birth is very important," says zoo's animal trainer.