Rare baby white rhino makes debut at Zurich Zoo

A rare animal has made its debut at the Zurich Zoo during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The zoo obtained a white rhino named Ushindi, who was born two months ago. Ushindi’s mother, Tanda, was imported from Israel during her pregnancy and Ushindi is her seventh calf.

It is a rare species as only 19,000 to 21,000 are left on reserves across the world, and it remains on the World Wildlife Fund’s near-threatened list.

With poachers often seeking to kill this animal, the zoo is protecting an endangered species.

It’s definitely some good news for the Zurich Zoo, who have been under scrutiny lately. A zookeeper was killed earlier this month, mauled by a Siberian tiger in front of the public on July 4.

Swiss-German newspaper Tages-Anzeiger reported that Ushindi was facing some eye problems initially, but has overcome these issues and has since been allowed to roam through the large Lewa Sawanna exhibit as of June 8.

“The exhibit is the largest site at the Zoo and is home to 15 species, including the Reticulated giraffe, White rhino, Grevy’s zebra, antelope, ostrich, spotted hyena, and other African savanna animals. Prior to the launch, the first newborn baby White rhino at the Zoo was welcomed, boding well for the success of the Lewa Savanna,” the zoo’s official website reads.

Here’s to a safe summer for Ushindi, Tanda and the rest of the Zurich Zoo staff.