Tag: black rhino

Orphaned rhino calf responds to new situation with ‘happy jump’

The young rhinoceros appeared to be reacting to cooler weather after a morning walk with handlers.

The Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary on Friday shared video footage showing an orphaned black rhino calf expressing herself with a “happy jump” performed in front of observers.

Black rhinos are critically endangered and the female calf, named RiRi, is undergoing rehabilitation as part of a “rewilding” process.

The footage was captured after a feeding session as temperatures dropped at the facility in South Africa.

Care for Wild stated via Instagram: “The goal of successful rehabilitation is to prepare a rhino orphan for rewilding and release back into their natural habitat so encouraging natural eating and browsing behaviors is very important.

“But the cooler weather has made RiRi particularly playful and so full of energy. Check out her gloriously happy jump at the end!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE7T6H9IYDV/

Black rhinos have been decimated by poachers over the years, but they’re slowly coming back thanks to conservation efforts. Their numbers plummeted from 65,000 to only 2,300 animals between 1970 and 1993.

According to the International Rhino Foundation, black rhinos now inhabit 12 countries in Africa, numbering an estimated 6,421 animals.

Watch: Adorable baby rhino receives ‘love nudge’ from mom

The baby rhino at the Cincinnati Zoo is gaining notoriety on social media for his bold antics while interacting with his mom.

The newest baby rhino at the Cincinnati Zoo is gaining notoriety on social media for his bold antics while interacting with his mom.

The first video accompanying this post shows the spunky and sometimes clumsy rhino, Ajani Joe, playfully squaring off with momma.

“Oh my gosh, is somebody videotaping this?” an astonished guest remarks.

An apt video description reads, “Charismatic and brave Ajani Joe practices sparring with his mom, Seyia.”

The second video clip reveals perhaps a more touching and amusing scene in which momma rhino sneaks up behind Ajani Joe and gently pokes him in the rump with her horn, prompting laughter from guests.

“Ajani gets a little love nudge from mom,” the description reads.

Both clips were widely viewed and shared, and provide evidence that baby rhinos, despite their clunky appearance, are among the cutest critters on the planet.

Ajani Joe, a black rhinoceros, was named by the winner of a drawing, Martha Wolf, who told WLWT5 that her father’s name is Joe and that Ajani, of African origin, translates to “he who wins the struggle.”

–Image and videos courtesy of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden