100-pound baby rhino born at the Oregon Zoo
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A new animal was welcomed to the Oregon Zoo Monday night.
According to zoo officials, 11-year-old eastern black rhino Jozi gave birth to a healthy 100-pound baby.
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It was announced mid-November that both Jozi as well as the zoo’s elephant Rose-tu were pregnant with babies expected by January at the latest.
Eastern black rhinos are considered critically endangered, so the birth of a new one is a big deal.
Kelly Gomez, who oversees the zoo’s Africa area said that 96% of the world’s black rhino population has been wiped out due to poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.
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“Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade have wiped out 96% of the world’s black rhino population,” said Gomez. “In South Africa alone, we’re losing almost a rhino a day.”
Zoo officials shared on Wednesday that the new baby was born around 9:30 p.m. Monday and that both the baby and Jozi are in good health.
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