The First One-Horned Rhino Is Born In Denver Zoo And She Likes To Nap

Feb 28, 2020 by apost team

Tensing, Denver Zoo’s 13-year-old rhino mom, gave birth to her little daughter on 22 February. The calf is yet to be named, but we do know that she enjoys her beauty sleep! It was not an easy path for Tensing to have her baby girl.

Denver Zoo revealed, there were many previous complications, resulting in 12 failed artificial insemination attempts across four years. Finally, in December 2018, Tensing became pregnant.

Tensing will now spend the next 6-8 weeks bonding with her calf, out of the public eye, to give her as much of a natural and homely environment as possible.The Senior Vice President for Animal Sciences, Brian Aucone, made a statement on Denver Zoo’s website, highlighting the importance of the birth.

“It’s a significant event for several reasons, including the fact that this is the first greater one-horned rhino born at Denver Zoo, and because it was another very important step in reproductive science for animals in the wild and human care.”

apost.com

Rhinos have consistently been dwindling in numbers, and according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, are currently at threat of extinction. This is mainly due to poaching, as rhino horns are prized in certain countries, as well as their natural habitats being destroyed, reports Save the Rhino.

This little female rhino will hopefully help keep her species alive for the future so that we don’t have a world where wildlife disappears.

"Tensing's journey from pregnancy to motherhood exemplifies the care our team provides to ensure our animals are able to voluntarily participate in their own medical care," Kirkman said.

The birth of this rhino is joyous news, and it is great that there are so many conservation efforts around the world to try to preserve endangered species. This story should motivate us to do our best to help the cause.