Lincoln Park Zoo's Eastern Black rhino calf makes first public appearance

Wednesday, June 19, 2019
CHICAGO (WLS) -- It's the moment all rhino watchers have been waiting for! Lincoln Park Zoo's rhino calf has made his first public appearance.

The critically endangered Eastern Black Rhinoceros was born on May 19, but until now, the calf has been kept inside a private habitat to give it and his mother time to bond.
Lincoln Park Zoo's Eastern Black rhino calf


Only a few thousand Eastern Black Rhinos remain in the wild. The species has been designated as "critically-endangered" due to poaching for their horns, which are believed to have medicinal benefits despite being made of keratin, the same material that makes up human hair and nails, according to zoo officials.

The zoo announced in March the 13-year-old female rhino was expecting.

Zoo officials say the male calf is still unnamed.
Critically endangered Eastern Black Rhino calf born at Lincoln Park Zoo


While the calf was not in the public eye, fans were still able to keep up with the new additions progress through the zoo's social media using #RhinoWatch.


The baby rhino and his parents Kapuki and Maku can be seen at the Lincoln Park Zoo's Regenstein African Journey outdoor rhino habitat.

Lincoln Park Zoo's critically endangered Eastern Black Rhinoceros pregnant


Kapuki and Maku had previously been successful in reproducing in 2013 with the birth of King, who now lives at Brookfield Zoo.

RELATED: Brookfield Zoo Black Rhino gets innovative nasal surgery
Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.