Calf gives salvation to species

STEP FORWARD: An endangered black rhino has given birth to a 35kg female at Des Moines’ Blank Park Zoo. Blank Park CEO Mark Vukovich called the birth “an extremely significant event” for the zoo and efforts to reverse a long decline in the number of black rhinos. The animal’s combined wild and captive population now numbers fewer than 1000. Zoo spokesman Ryan Bickel says the calf was standing and walking within an hour of birth and attempted to feed within two hours, which are signs of a healthy baby rhino.