First Look At The Adorable Baby Rhino Born At Toronto Zoo

Welcome to the world, little guy!

An adorable baby Indian rhino has been born at the Toronto Zoo, giving hope to the threatened species.

The male calf was born to 11-year-old mom Ashakiran and 12-year-old dad Vishnu late Wednesday night.

Zoo staff announced the birth on Friday, saying it was "important" as Indian rhinos are listed as "vulnerable" and there are only around 2,000 left in the wild.

"The calf appears to be healthy and feeding well," the zoo posted on Instagram. "But the first 30 days are critical and staff will continue to monitor them both closely."

The Toronto Sun reports this is Ashakiran's first surviving calf, as she previously gave birth to a stillborn in 2011 and then had trouble maintaining pregnancy. 

For this pregnancy, through a partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo, she was given oral progesterone so it could be maintained.

The Indian rhino, who has not yet been named, is the first to be born at the zoo since Aug. 1999. Mom and son are currently not on display to the public.

The zoo has also welcomed several other newborns into its fold in recent months -- including a polar bear and giant panda twins.

 

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