Mountain Zebra National Park

Archived News

Black Rhino Calves Born In Mountain Zebra National Park

Date: 2007-06-05

The black rhino population of the Mountain Zebra National Park has grown with the recent birth of two new calves.

The Park, situated near Cradock in the Eastern Cape, now has a population of six of the critically endangered black rhino.

One of the calves was born about three months ago to the 12-year old rhino cow named Dundi, while the other calf was born four and a half months ago to Faru, now 25 years old.

Both calves have been identified as females which bodes well for the growth of the Park’s rhino population.

Rangers will monitor the two rhino cows and their calves as often as possible to check on their condition, as this is a crucial period for the two young calves.

Visitors to Mountain Zebra National Park are encouraged to report any sightings of black rhinos to the Park staff to assist in monitoring efforts.

Recently, rangers sighted all six of the Park’s black rhinos together – a rare occurrence.

Black rhino of the Diceros bicornis bicornis subspecies or so-called ‘desert ecotype’ occur in Mountain Zebra, Addo Elephant and Karoo National Parks, as well as the new national park situated outside Kimberley that will replace Vaalbos National Park.