Baby Bonnie putting on bulk
Blair Drummond Safari Park’s new baby rhino Bonnie had her first weigh-in this week - and tipped the scales at 13.5 stones at just 12 days old.
Bonnie was given a check-up and weighed 87.5kg.
White rhinos normally weigh 40-60kg at birth. As a female, Bonnie can be expected to tip the scales at up to 2000kg as a fully-grown adult - that is two tonnes.
The new arrival also welcomed a VIP guest when Stirling MP Steven Paterson went to see her last week.
Mr Paterson said:“I was delighted to have the opportunity to pop along and welcome one of my youngest constituents to the world. Bonnie seems to be settling in well and, as well as being very friendly, is full of energy and fun.
“Blair Drummond Safari Park is a great day out for families and park management have ensured that visitors will be able to see Bonnie and mum from a safe and non-intrusive distance and a live webcam feed is available on the park’s website.”
The park has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors this year, which has seen the birth of four lion cubs as well as Bonnie – the fifth offspring for white rhinos Dot and Graham.
Safari park manager Gary Gilmour said:“This has been an exciting year for us with four new lion cubs and now a baby rhino.
“With so much going on, it was great to have our local MP along to discuss how we are taking the park forward and to introduce him to our latest animal additions.”
There is still time to see Bonnie and the four new lion cubs before the park closes on October 30.
We have a family pass for two adults and two children to give away to one lucky reader. For a chance to win simply answer this question: What is the name of Bonnie’s father?
Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number, to Blair Drummond Competition, Stirling Observer, 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, FK8 2DW, before Wednesday, October 19. A winner will be chosen at random and announced in next week’s paper.
Congratulations to last week’s winner Dorothy Goodwin, of Doune, who correctly answered that Teekay is the grandmother to Blair Drummond’s four new lion cubs. A family pass is on its way to you.