Baby Rhino Calf Born at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Recently, a delightful new addition was made to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, with the birth of a female southern white rhino calf. Joining the herd (or crash) of rhinos, the young calf, weighing roughly 100 pounds, was born to the happy mother, Kisiri. This new member adds to the park’s wide-ranging assortment of African animals, such as zebras, ostriches, giraffes, and various species of antelope, all living within the vast 65-acre Serengeti Plain.

Visitors can look forward to glimpsing the young rhino calf in the near future as she unites with her mother and the rest of the rhino family. Don’t miss out on the special chance to follow her journey as she grows and matures. Southern white rhinos have an estimated growth rate of an impressive 100 pounds each month!

Originating from the eastern and southern parts of Africa, the southern white rhino is a remarkable creature. Once fully developed, it can stand over six feet tall at the shoulder and can weigh a whopping 5,000 pounds. Currently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized this species as nearing a threatened status. As an involved member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP), the park welcomed this new addition to their zoo family. The SSP’s purpose is to collaboratively regulate certain species populations within AZA-accredited institutions like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.