Auckland Zoo welcomes first baby rhino in 20 years
A healthy female baby rhino has been born at Auckland Zoo.
The southern white rhino calf was delivered on August 14, and it marks the first rhino birth at the zoo in 20 years.
Auckland Zoo ungulates team leader Tommy Karlsson witnessed the “exciting and nerve-wracking” birth that has been heavily anticipated by staff.
“It was very smooth and very fast, and Jamila did a brilliant job by giving a couple of really good pushes to get her baby here,” he said.
“Her calf was walking within 25 minutes and suckling well by the afternoon. She’s pretty sturdy, her belly is filling out and she’s already getting a lot rounder.”
Karlsson estimates the baby rhino’s weight at 65 kilograms.
The rhino’s mother Jamila went through a 16 month pregnancy and one hour of labour, with her water breaking at 7am and the delivery of her calf occurring at 7.59am.
Regional Facilities Auckland chief executive Chris Brooks said it is a rare and exiting privilege welcoming a new baby rhino.
“Auckland Zoo supports the recovery of rhino populations in Zimbabwe and in Sumatra,” he said.
“Thanks to the Australasian zoos’ breeding programme, we have been able to bring one more southern white rhino into the world.”
Karlsson said it is still early days, and Jamila and her calf are not yet out on the Savannah.
“We take Jamila’s lead to do this at the pace she is comfortable with, and once she’s ready, we can’t wait for visitors to see Jamila’s calf for themselves,” he said.
“Rhino are such an incredible species that are still doing it tough in the wild, both in Africa and Asia. They are so important in helping maintain healthy ecosystems for themselves and many other species where they live, so we need to do all we can to help ensure their future.”
Since 2013, Auckland Zoo has supported the Zimbabwe-based Lowveld Rhino Trust’s (LRT) conservation efforts for both black and white rhino species.
Poll: How important is the ability to book a doctor’s appointment online?
Hi Neighbours
Here at The Doctors we would love to hear how you prefer to book your doctor’s appointments. With busy schedules, different people find different methods easier.
For some, online booking is very convenient, you can make an appointment anytime without needing to wait on the phone. Others still prefer calling the clinic and speaking to a real person, especially if they have specific questions about their visit.
Your feedback helps us understand what works best for our patients and how we can improve access to care.
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27.6% I prefer booking online whenever possible
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41.4% Online booking is helpful but not essential
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27.6% I prefer calling the clinic
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3.4% I didn’t know online booking was available
URGENT - Roaming Cat Disturbing our Rest During Silent Hours !
Tēnā koe (Hi) Neighbours,
First and foremost, I wish to bring to your attention an ongoing concern regarding the repeated presence of roaming cats within our property boundary during both daytime and nighttime hours. Previously, one cat had been entering our property in this manner; however, more recently, a second cat has also begun accessing our backyard and roof area.
On one occasion, late at night or in the early hours of the morning, I was unable to sleep due to persistent noise on our roof, which clearly appeared to be caused by the cat. On another evening, while having dinner, I directly observed the cat entering our backyard, climbing onto our veranda, and subsequently moving onto the roof.
Notwithstanding this, members of our household experience asthma, eczema, and allergy-related sensitivities, and the continued presence of roaming animals within our immediate living environment is adversely affecting our health and well-being, thereby creating unnecessary disturbance and avoidable risk within our residential space.
I therefore respectfully request that appropriate steps be taken to ensure pets are properly supervised and prevented from entering neighbouring properties.
Thank - you.
A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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