Zoo’s newest baby thrives

There was a feeling of excitement around the Hamilton Zoo, as staff witnessed the birth of another southern white rhino.

The male calf, who is yet to be named, arrived Tuesday, June 28, weighing 63 kilograms.

‘‘This little male is going to put a huge injection into it in a way of genetics,’’ Hamilton Zoo team leader of the Ungulates (hooved animals) Aaron Gilmore said.

‘‘He is a very important animal to the zoo and to the region.’’

Gilmore said he is healthy and already showing his strength.

The calf brings the total number of white rhinos at Hamilton Zoo to six.

He joins his mum and dad, Kito and Kruger, and females Imani, Moesha, and Moesha’s daughter Jamila.

The calf is the third baby for mother, Kito. In 2010 she gave birth to Ubuntu, who was initially born blind. The keepers helped Ubuntu in his first few weeks until his eyesight cleared. And a female was stillborn in 2013. Last week the calf experienced his first look around the enclosure with his mum.

‘‘This is very important. She [Kito] has to feel comfortable out there with him, and I’d like him to know where he is before meeting the other rhinos out there,’’ Gilmore said.

He hoped in the not too distant future the team will look at integrating the other rhinos together.

Gilmore hopes the public can get a glance of the newborn soon.

‘‘Depending on weather and his continued growth, school holiday visitors will hopefully have the chance to see him in the exhibit with his mother for short periods of time each day.’’

The Hamilton Zoo white rhino breeding programme has had seven rhinos born at the zoo.

While some rhinos remained at Hamilton Zoo, others were moved to The National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra and Auckland Zoo.