Baby rhino in intensive care after birth at Werribee Open Range zoo

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/29/baby-rhino-intensive-care-birth-werribee-open-range-zoo

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A baby rhino is in round-the-clock intensive care following its birth at Werribee Open Range zoo on Saturday.

The calf was born at 4.20am on Saturday, weighing in at 67kg, but raised concern among vets at the Victorian zoo after picking up an infection from her mother, Si Si.

It’s hoped a dose of antibiotics will ensure the infant rhino survives. The animal, called Salt until an African name is chosen, will receive constant care for the next four weeks in the zoo’s veterinary hospital.

The baby will then be hand-raised by vets and keepers during her first four months as Si Si is unable to feed her calves. Salt has a sister – 18-month-old Kipenzi.

The rhino birth is part of Werribee zoo’s involvement in a regional breeding program for the southern white rhino.

There are just over 20,000 southern white rhinos in the wild, with a record number of rhinos, more than 1,000, killed by poachers in South Africa already in 2014.

Sally Lewis, director of the Werribee Open Range zoo, said the species is in a precarious situation.

“With the number of southern white rhinos plummeting in the wild, this is not only an important birth for Werribee Open Range zoo but for the species as a whole,” she said.

“I would like to commend the staff at Werribee Open Range zoo for their passion, expertise and their great care in handling such a delicate birth.”