Columbus’ Adorable Baby Animal Population is Going Nuts
What is happening?! Cute baby animals are poppin’ out everywhere! An incredibly adorable greater one-horned rhino was just born at the Columbus Wilds just days after two baby polar bears were born and it was just announced that two more baby polar bears just came into this world. A rhino and four baby polar bears, I’m losing it!
A greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) – a species that nearly went extinct in the 20th century – was born at the Wilds conservation center. The newborn was discovered the early morning of Nov. 11, and is receiving expert care from his mother. This is the seventh greater one-horned rhino to be born at the Wilds.
“Rhino conservation has come a long way in the past 100 years, but there is still work to be done,” said Daniel Beetem, director of animal management at the Wilds. “Rhinos continue to be poached for the misconception that their horns have medicinal value, when the horns are the chemical equivalent of human fingernails. Rhinos also face the imminent danger of declining habitat quality. We are proud to help keep this incredible species alive through our breeding program at the Wilds.”
These lil’ stompers were as once an endangered species, the greater one-horned rhino have seen a steady population increase thanks to strict government protection. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there were only 600 individuals surviving in their native ranges of India and Nepal by 1975. Since then, researchers estimate the population has grown to exceed 3,000 greater one-horned rhinos living in these areas.
The Wilds is currently closed for the season, but visitors can get a chance to see the newborn on a Winter Wildside Tour. The classic Wilds tours will return May 2017.
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