A record breaking Christmas for Whipsnade: 50th white rhino

The female rhino calf is the second to be born within the sound of jingle bells. A male calf, born on 22 November 2001, is the 49th to be born at the Park.

The 50th young arrival is yet to be named; she is the second calf to be born to 11-year-old Mkumi and is blissfully unaware of why she has attracted so much attention. She was born on 10 December 2001, and although very wobbly on her legs, she is busy exploring her indoor quarters with her mum at her side.

"We are delighted to have had our 50th white rhino calf at Whipsnade in just 30 years. Mkumi is a great mum and she and her calf are both in good health. We are looking forward to seeing them out in the 25-acre paddock which they will share with Whipsnade's herd of 13 white rhino, a group of water buck and roan antelope," commented Senior Curator, Nick Lindsay. "Mkumi and her calf will be kept in their inside quarters to ensure their good health for the time being."

Whipsnade has contributed greatly to the conservation of this beautiful species by breeding 50 white rhinos since 1970. In the early 1900s there were less than 100 white rhinos in the wild, now, with the aid of a worldwide conservation project there are more than 11,000.

Whipsnade Wild Animal Park holds the best white rhino breeding record in the Europe and worldwide is only surpassed by San Diego Zoo.

For further information please contact:
Miranda Kennett-Scott/Julianne Mallatratt
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park
Dunstable
Beds
LU6 2LF
Tel: 01582 871316
Fax: 01582 872649