Baby rhino and giraffe calves explore outdoors for first time at Whipsnade Zoo
New arrivals embrace the warmer weather and their new paddocks
Whipsnade Zoo's newest additions—a three-month-old southern white rhino calf named Mick and two four-month-old reticulated giraffe calves, Leoni and Duke—have explored their grassy paddocks for the first time under the spring sunshine.
Born on 31st December to mum Jaseera, Mick is the latest member of Whipsnade Zoo’s crash of ten Southern white rhinos.
Named after a retired long-serving staff member, Mick initially showed some hesitation about the muddy terrain but was soon encouraged onto the grass by his mother, quickly gaining confidence and racing around the paddock alongside her.
Meanwhile, giraffe siblings Leoni and Duke, born just three weeks apart, enjoyed their outdoor adventure by galloping around their paddock, investigating everything they encountered.
Connor Corrigan, team leader of large hoofstock at Whipsnade Zoo, shared insights on the young animals' development.
“Just like in the wild, our three new arrivals have spent their first few months staying very close to mum; but each day, they are getting more confident and curious about the world around them,” Corrigan said.
“We’ve been waiting for a warm and dry day to let the trio into the great outdoors for the first time. While they have plenty of space in their cosy indoor dens, it’s been great to see them exploring further.
“As the spring sun continues to shine, these three little ones will be racing around their new stomping grounds just in time for Easter.”
With only 10,000 southern white rhinos and 11,000 reticulated giraffes remaining in the wild, these newborns represent significant steps forward for their species in conservation breeding programs.
The programs aim to maintain genetically diverse and healthy back-up populations within conservation zoos like Whipsnade.
Corrigan emphasized the role of the newcomers, stating, “The trio are not only important additions to the conservation breeding programs for their threatened species; they’re great ambassadors, helping us to inspire future conservationists at Whipsnade by educating people about the threats rhinos and giraffes face in the wild, such as poaching, habitat loss, and climate change—and what actions they can do to help.”