Rhino Born At Wilds

The Wilds Animal Preserve in Muskingum County is starting the New Year with an addition. Vice President of Community Relations Patty Peters says a southern white rhinoceros was born January 8th. The calf, believed to be a female, is the eighth southern white rhino to be born at the conservation. Peters says it is doing well and is being cared for by its mother. The Wilds will not let cameras near the animal yet, but did release this picture. Southern white rhinos were almost extinct in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, but the current wild population is estimated at around 17,500 animals. Calves are born after a gestation of 16 months and can grow to be 4000 pounds and six feet tall at their shoulder.