Asia's leisure industry news and information platform - from Saudi to Sapporo, Bali to Beijing
On World Rhino Day - 22nd September -Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo has announced that Black Rhinoceros Bakhita is pregnant and expecting a calf in early 2021 while Zoos SA’s Monarto Safari Park’s two-month-old Southern White Rhino calf has been named today as Eshe - meaning life and energy in Swahili.
World Rhino Day is held annually on 22nd September to raise awareness for the five remaining rhinoceros species left in the wild: the Sumatran, Javan, Black, Greater one-horned and Southern White as well as remembering rhino species sadly already lost to extinction.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo advise that this will be the fourth calf for experienced mother Bakhita who is so far progressing well through her pregnancy.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo Director, Steve Hinks notes “Bakhita’s diet has been increased to satisfy her growing appetite and her abdomen is growing daily. In late 2020 Bakhita will be moved to our behind-the-scenes calving yard to be given time to settle in prior to her expected birthing period.
“Black Rhinos are currently listed as critically endangered with recent estimates there are 5,630 Black Rhinos remaining in the wild, so every birth both in zoos and the wild is crucial for their long term survival.
“This pregnancy is especially important as the offspring will carry the legacy of our Black Rhino breeding bull, Kwanzaa who sadly passed away earlier this year.”
On naming their Southern White Rhino calf- Eshe - Zoos SA Chief Executive, Elaine Bensted advised “her name is fitting as she has brought new life to this threatened species and it’s fair to say that Eshe is a huge energy ball – she’s often seen thundering around her paddock and keeping mum Umqali on her hooves.
“We asked Beach Energy, sponsors of the threatened Southern White Rhino at Monarto Safari Park, to come up with some suggestions and their staff presented us with a fantastic list of names.
“There were so many beautiful names to choose from, all with a nod to the Southern White Rhino’s native Africa and to hope for this threatened species’ future.
“Our keepers then whittled down the names down to a shortlist of three before Zoos SA staff and volunteers got the final vote.
“Eshe, exactly two months old on World Rhino Day, is a significant addition to her species which is threatened with extinction.
Beach Energy Head of Corporate Affairs and Community Relations Rob Malinauskas said, "Beach Energy is very proud to support Monarto Sarfari Park's efforts to prevent the extinction of the Southern White Rhino.”
Eshe will play her part in helping to ensure the survival of Southern White Rhinos by boosting the numbers of animals held safely in Australia and New Zealand.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports there are approximately 10,000 mature Southern White Rhinoceros in the wild and that the population continues to decrease. Poaching for its horn, incorrectly thought to have medicinal properties, is the rhinos’ biggest threat.
Monarto Safari Park is currently home to six Southern White Rhino: Umqali, Uhura, Satara, Ibutho, Savannah and young Eshe. It is also home to two male Black Rhinoceros, Induna and Sentwali.
Taronga also has a long history of supporting rhino conservation with Taronga Western Plains Zoo is internationally renowned for its conservation and breeding programs for the Black Rhino, White Rhino and Greater One-horned Rhino. Taronga has also been involved for the past 20 years conserving Sumatran Rhinos in Indonesia, which are now considered one of the most endangered mammals on earth with less than 80 remaining.
Taronga Chief Executive and International Rhino Foundation board member, Cameron Kerr adds “we have a comprehensive approach to support Sumatran Rhino populations in Way Kambas National Park. This includes co-designing and funding habitat protection and restoration, supporting rhino protection units and providing veterinary and reproductive expertise to the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary.
“With the help of donors, Taronga has expanded its commitment in Sumatra and continues to support rhino protection units that provide around the clock protection for the remaining populations of rhinos and protect their important habitats. There has been no known poaching of Sumatran Rhinos in the Way Kambas National Park in more than nine years.”
According to the recently released International Rhino Foundation 2020 State of the Rhino report, the global pandemic has seen a reduction in poaching across Africa. Border closures and international travel restrictions have closed trafficking routes to China and Vietnam, the largest black markets for rhino horn. The increased military and police presence at checkpoints at government parks and private reserves have also disrupted local poaching gangs.
Kerr notes “Rhino poaching has almost halved in Africa in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year, which is a positive to take from the global pandemic.
“The impact the global pandemic has had on poaching is evidence that with more robust efforts by governments, poaching can be reduced and allow wild populations of rhinos to steadily increase again.
“The concern now lies with the impact the global pandemic has had on the tourism industry in rhino range states and the possibility that local communities will turn to poaching as a source of income to ensure secure their livelihoods. Hopefully as international travel restrictions ease tourism can start to flow again into these regions and reduce this risk.”
Taronga actively supports conservation efforts for wild rhinos in Africa, Indonesia and India providing funds and support for anti-poaching and wildlife protection units, habitat protection and restoration, and expertise in veterinary care and reproduction of Rhino.
Zoos SA is working with The Australian Rhino Project and other partners to bring a rhino sanctuary to life at Monarto Safari Park. The project will see more Southern White Rhinos relocated from Africa to Monarto Safari Park in 2022.
It is hoped that Monarto Safari Park will eventually become a sanctuary for up to 40 rhinoceros, who will live in the large Wild Africa safari experience area currently being developed.
Image top and above of Monarto Safari Park’s Southern White Rhino calf - Eshe courtesy of Monarto Safari Park and image centre of Black Rhinoceros courtesy of Taronga Conservation Society Australia
25th July 2020 - Southern White Rhino calf born at Monarto Safari Park
22nd September 2019 - Taronga Zoo highlights continued threat to the Rhino
2nd June 2019 - Taronga Zoo helps educate students on protection of endangered species
3rd January 2018 - Rhinoceros gores keeper at NSW zoo
25th November 2017 - Indian national park gives rangers shoot-to-kill powers in bid to protect endangered rhinoceros
11th July 2016 - Hamilton Zoo announces birth of white rhinoceros baby
10th June 2016 - First Australian bred one-horned rhinoceros makes public debut
11th April 2016 - Rare Rhinoceros to be relocated from Africa to Australia in a world-first conservation move
13th October 2015 - Australia Zoo welcomes another baby rhinoceros
16th September 2015 - Monarto Zoo welcomes birth of southern white rhinoceros
3rd March 2015 - Mogo Zoo prepares its reveal of southern white rhinos
20th November 2014 - IUCN summit delivers major commitments to save Earth’s most precious natural areas
19th November 2014 - Criminal wildlife poaching driving endangered species to brink of extinction
22nd May 2013 - Taronga Western Plains Zoo celebrates remarkable birth of White Rhino calf
15th April 2013 - Rhino sculpture marks links between Dubbo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo
