COLCHESTER Zoo has hailed a major victory in its conservation efforts as the attraction revealed its rhinoceros is pregnant.
Zoo bosses say they are “overjoyed” with the news after the Southern White Rhinoceros, Astrid, was confirmed to be expecting.
The impressive creature is expected to deliver the baby between January and March 2023 after a gestation period of about 16 to 18 months.
It comes as a huge boost for the conservation of the species which is listed as “near threatened” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list of threatened species.
The rhino is frequently poached in its African homeland to serve the ivory trade.
The zoo has had huge success in its breeding programme of the species, with Astrid giving birth to a male calf back in October 2020.
And in January of the same year, white rhino Emily delivered an adorable female baby.
Astrid, who arrived at the Maldon Road attraction in July 2016, had the latest pregnancy confirmed via hormone analysis from faecal samples sent to a specialised lab.
A total of 91 samples were tested between July 2021 and May this year, with early samples showing Astrid had cycles with oestrus – a period of sexual receptivity and fertility in female mammals.
After mating with the zoo’s male, Otto, in September 2021, the samples later revealed the efforts had proved fruitful and Astrid had fallen pregnant.
“We are overjoyed that our female Southern White Rhinoceros, Astrid, has been confirmed as pregnant,” said a zoo spokesman.
The breeding programme at the zoo has been championed by Otto who has sired five calves since he arrived at the park in 2009 from Knuthenborg Safari Park, in Denmark.
The offspring will be Astrid’s second, having given birth to a male calf back in October 2020.
“This pregnancy is brilliant news for the conservation of this magnificent species,” the spokeman continued.
“The new arrival will be the seventh calf born here at Colchester Zoo.
“In the meantime, our animal care team will be monitoring Astrid closely and look forward to the new arrival.
“We will be ready and waiting for the pitter-patter of four very large, yet adorable, feet upon our African plain exhibit.”
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