Colchester Zoo (UK) announced that today, 3 February 2017, at 1.30 p.m. White Rhino Emily, almost 17 years old, gave birth to her second baby!

The birth took place in the open space, during the day and in front  of the astonished visitors. Emily was so comfortable in her paddock with the rest of the herd and other species, such giraffes, zebras, kudus and ostriches, that she choosed that moment to give birth to her calf. Even if it is not the first time for a rhino to give birth during the day and in the open space, it is truly a rare event!

Zoo Officials said that, in order to ensure security, expecially for mum and calf, all the animals were led inside. That was not Emily’s case: she was so relaxed outside with her baby that she had no intention to go inside, into a warmer environment.

Keepers let her stay for another while, but when they feared that the baby’s temperature was dropping they took the decision to intervene. As Zoo Officials reported ” Curator, Sarah Forsyth, entered the paddock to encourage baby inside and lend a helping hand knowing that Emily would soon follow. Although this may have looked quite extreme to onlookers the keepers had the situation fully under control and they all knew Sarah’s escape routes if an emergency exit was required however, as expected, Emily was perfectly happy for Sarah to help and they are now both inside in the warm”.

The baby soon suckled and both him and mum are doing well.

It is not certain the sex of the newborn, even if Keepers think he could be a male.

You can see a video here

Read full story here