Rare White Rhino Calf Born At Disney's Animal Kingdom

An endangered white rhinoceros has been born at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida.

Mum Kendi, who was born at the park in 1999, gave birth to a male calf on 25 October and both mother and baby are doing well, according to Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort

In a statement, Disney said: "Calf and mother are doing well under the keepers' watchful eyes. While rhinos are gregarious by nature, for now the calf is resting, nursing and bonding with his mom."

The little dude, who is yet to be named, will join the crash of rhinos - yep, that's the correct collective term - in the coming weeks, where visitors to the park's Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction will have the chance to see him.

Kendi was paired with male rhino Dugan through the Species Survival Plans overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, to ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species, with the new arrival being the 11th white rhino calf born at Walt Disney World Resort.

Two other females are expected to give birth next year, with Disney adding: "This is especially significant, as white rhinos - the world's second largest land animal - are an endangered species with a near-threatened status."

And if you're now looking at the snaps of the little cutie and thinking, 'Hmmm, I wonder what sound he makes,' then I have good news for you. Earlier this year a clip of a group of young rhinos calling out went viral.

The clip left many social media users shocked, with most not realising that was the noise the youngsters made.

I have to admit, it's certainly not what I thought they'd sound like.

It caused quite a stir on Reddit, where one person said: "They sounds like balloons squeaking out little bits of air."

Another added: "Sounds like a cross between a whale and a porcupine!"

A third person asked: "How the hell have I lived so long without knowing what a rhino sounds like?" How indeed.

PA

The clip was filmed at Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary in Mpumalanga, South Africa back in 2016 and the noise is actually the rhinos crying after their breakfast ran out.

Sadly, the rhinos in the clip were orphaned when poachers killed their mums, but they were subsequently taken in and cared for by the sanctuary.

Topics: Disney, US News, Animals

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19