Delight as White Rhino calf born at Colchester Zoo

Back in September the zoo announced that their rhino, Astrid, was due to give birth in early 2023. 

After a quick labour on Friday, January 13 Astrid gave birth to a 66kg female calf. 

Zookeepers were happy that the calf was strong and health but the new born could not seem to work out where milk comes from. 

The newborn does not have a name yet – but the public could be surveyed when a shortlist is drawn up.

Team leader Jo Burch said: “The new-born explored her stall looking for a milk source but unfortunately didn’t successfully suckle from mum.

Astrid with her new baby at Colchester Zoo (Image: Newsquest)

"This continued throughout the day on the 13th, and we were starting to get concerned that as the hours passed without her drinking, she would miss the vital colostrum from mum.

"Therefore, that afternoon, we made the decision to express milk from Astrid and feed the calf via a bottle.

"We had regularly been checking Astrid’s teats throughout January to check for milk pre-birth, so Astrid was used to this process.

"After a bit of assistance squeezing the milk from the bottle, the calf hungrily took her first feed.

"At a week old now, her personality is starting to show through, even to the point of refusing to let us get a new weight off her as she enjoys zooming around her enclosure.

"We like to get to know the new-borns before naming them as we like their name to have a specific meaning to the individual. We have some ideas but have not made a decision yet.

The new born has not been named yet (Image: Newsquest)

"We may ask the public to help us choose when we have a shortlist.”

Astrid’s daughter is the seventh calf born at Colchester Zoo and staff are excited to see the pitter-patter of four very large, yet adorable, feet upon the African plain exhibit when the calf is let outside for the first time. 

As the calf is not able to go out into the full enclosure just yet, visitors will be able to see the baby from the outdoor viewing area or via the balcony inside the Kind of the Wild building.