– The Wilds celebrates the arrival of its second greater one-horned rhino calf within two months, contributing to vital conservation efforts.
– With 11 greater one-horned rhino births, The Wilds demonstrates participation in a significant multi-institutional effort to sustain these rare creatures.
– The partnership between The Wilds and CREW at the Cincinnati Zoo has led to the formation of the American Institute of Rhinoceros Science, which investigates rhino conservation.
– The significance of Species Survival Plans (SSPs) spearheaded by accredited institutions illustrates the impact of shared expertise in wildlife preservation.
– A spotlight on the broader role of accredited facilities in wildlife education, research, and international collaboration for a sustainable future for endangered species.
In the rolling pasturelands that once served purely for agriculture, a conservation effort is afoot, nestled in the lush landscapes where one would be forgiven for mistaking it for an expanse of wild, untouched terrain. Among the many residents of this vast expanse known as The Wilds are the greater one-horned rhinoceroses, stoic beings of impressive size and singular beauty.
**Nature’s Sturdy Titans: Welcoming A New Rhino Calf**
Imagine the scene – the early hours of a quiet November morning are infused with anticipation. In the hush, a momentous event unfolds. Sanya, a greater one-horned rhino mother, is all poise as she welcomes into the world a male calf, a new hope for a species that has precariously danced on the edge of obliteration.
This burgeoning life at The Wilds isn’t just a triumph for the institution but a testament to the collaborative vigor of conservationists worldwide. The newborn is settling in well, under the watchful eye of Sanya and amidst the curious gazes of its kind. The calf’s introduction marks the second in just a few months, suggesting a commendable rhythm in the life cycle nurtured within The Wilds’ confines.
**A Herald of Genetic Prosperity: The Species Survival Plan®**
The strong and healthy young male rhino’s birth is not an accident but a concerted effort manifested through the Species Survival Plan® (SSP). Institutions like The Wilds, endorsed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), collaborate to curate genetic variety within captive populations, ensuring that species like this formidable rhino thrive, not just survive.
**A Maternal Success Story: Sanya’s Contribution**
The spotlight beams brightly on Sanya, who has, for the seventh time, proven her adeptness in her role. How often does one find such a union of strength and tenderness? Her new calf is a beacon of her contribution – a lasting legacy that fortifies her species’ grasp on a future.
**The Paternal Pride: Suru’s Continued Legacy**
Suru, the calf’s sire, is 22, an age where wisdom in humans is just beginning to grow. For Suru, it’s the continuation of a legacy as he contributes valuable genetics to a program that celebrates life. His involvement in The Wilds’ breeding efforts symbolizes our collective responsibility in shepherding nature’s cadence.
**The Marvel of Eleven: A Species Reverie Awakens**
With 11 greater one-horned rhinos birthed in its care, The Wilds stands out as a beacon among the 17 AZA-accredited facilities in North America that foster this species. Each birth is a mark of defiance against a history dotted with loss – a history where these majestic creatures neared the brink of extinction.
**A White Rhino Milestone: Commitment Across Species Lines**
But let us not forget the southern white rhinos, who roam The Wilds with a different but no less important story. A recent birth of a female calf hails from a line of 30 white rhino births since 2004, adding to a commitment to crossing the boundaries between species, a universal pledge for conservation.
**The Frontline of Protection: The Wilds’ Stewardship**
Habitat deterioration and the ominous shadow of poaching are relentless. Yet, The Wilds and its commitment remain unyielding. By allying with CREW at Cincinnati Zoo, they have embarked on a mission through the American Institute of Rhinoceros Science (AIRS), where protecting these behemoths transcends beyond mere hope into grounded scientific inquiry.
**The Cause to Celebrate: Milestones at The Wilds**
The Wilds invite all who resonate with nature’s call to join the celebration. The birth of these rhinos is not just a success for The Wilds but a shared victory in the odyssey of wildlife preservation. It’s a celebration of the collective feat – from experts’ dedication to the curiosity of the visiting public.
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**The Unwritten Epilogue of Our Rhinos**
Let’s journey beyond merely recounting events into the soulful truth in The Wilds’ recent celebration. The stage is set at a crossroads, where humanity and the wild intersect, brought into harmony through the symphony of preservation.
**A Chronicle of Survival Finessed by Human Hands**
Witnessing a greater one-horned rhino calf emerge into the world amidst a symphony of natural sounds and the tender watch of his mother is an intimate portrait of life at its genesis. We’re not just bystanders in this grand narrative. We become narrators of a future that’s etched by the delicate strokes of our conservation efforts.
**The Species Survival Plan®: A Mosaic of Genetic Wisdom**
There is magic woven into the SSPs. The same magic springs from a tightly-knit community of conservationists who understand that genetic diversity is not just a buzzword but the essence of life’s resilience. Through carefully planned pairings, they don’t just breed; they fortify a lineage.
**Guided by Maternal Instinct: Sanya’s Matronly Mastery**
Whether Sanya’s tender nuzzlings or her steadfast watch over her calf, every maternal act is etched into the annals of instinctual wisdom. Her calf, strong and enveloping, is a testament to her nurturing prowess. Yet, she serves as a mother and a matriarch, a pillar in the family of greater one-horned rhinos at The Wilds.
**Strength and Sagacity: Suru’s Timeless Gift**
Consider Suru, a rhino whose life has spun multiple threads into the fabric of his species. His genetic contributions, paired with the understanding of the team at The Wilds, have catalyzed life, presenting a blueprint for the natural world’s relics to persist through the hands of care and conservation.
**Amidst Eleven Titans: The Wild’s Triumphs Embodied**
Let the herd of greater one-horned rhinos born at The Wilds serve as living emblems of a conservation ethos emanating from this sanctuary’s heart. Embrace the notion that perseverance weaves a story of success and hope amidst strife and challenge.
**The Southern White’s Tale: Diversity in Conservation**
Not to be eclipsed by their greater one-horned counterparts, the southern white rhinos at The Wilds paint a diverse conservation canvas. The birth of the female calf is another vibrant stroke on this canvas, solidifying a role in the broader mosaic of global wildlife stewardship.
**On Guard for the Gentle Giants: The Wilds’ Vigil**
At The Wilds, safeguarding rhinos is a commitment that stretches beyond the horizon. In tandem with the scientific understanding of CREW, initiatives such as AIRS exemplify a watchtower of vigilance, keeping the flame of protection ever alight in the face of adversity.
**A Call to Join the Festivity of Preservation**
You’re invited. The arrival of new life under the caring expanse of The Wilds is a jubilant invitation to partake in a collective endeavor. Join in acknowledgment of the milestones reached and in support of those yet to be met. It’s a call to become an integral thread in the tapestry of wildlife preservation.
The conservation narrative continues to unfold as the sun sets on another day at The Wilds. It’s punctuated by the calls of rhinos, the rustle of caretakers, and the hum of a world awakening to the imperative of care and preservation. These milestones at The Wilds are etched not only into the history books of conservation but into the consciousness of a society poised to enact change.
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Source Description
Exciting news from The Wilds! We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of a second greater one-horned rhinoceros calf in just two months, marking another milestone in our ongoing commitment to wildlife preservation.
Born on Saturday, November 25, 2023, to the experienced mother, Sanya, the yet-to-be-named male calf is already making waves. The Animal Management team reports that he’s strong, spending his time nursing, exploring the rhino barn, and observing his fellow rhinos. Sanya, a seasoned mother, is proving to be patient and protective, marking this as her seventh calf.
The proud father, 22-year-old Suru, continues contributing to our successful breeding efforts. The birth is part of the Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a program endorsed by @zoos_aquariums (AZA) to ensure genetic diversity and increase the sustainability of threatened and endangered species in professional care.
This little one joins the ranks of the 11th greater one-horned rhino born at The Wilds, a remarkable feat for a species that faced near-extinction in the 20th century. With seven greater one-horned rhinos, we stand among the 17 AZA-accredited facilities in North America caring for this incredible species.
But that’s not all! The Wilds are also home to 17 southern white rhinos, with 30 white rhino births since 2004. The recent addition, a female born on September 23, highlights our commitment to conserving the greater one-horned and southern white rhinos.
As these magnificent creatures face threats like habitat degradation and poaching, The Wilds remain at the forefront of their protection. We’ve partnered with the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the @CincinnatiZoo to establish the American Institute of Rhinoceros Science (AIRS). Based at The Wilds, this groundbreaking initiative focuses on saving rhinos through scientific research on their physical condition, dietary needs, reproduction, and environmental factors.
Join us in celebrating these remarkable milestones and the collective efforts to secure a thriving future for rhinos and wildlife.
