Baby White Rhino Born at Zoo After a 491-Day Pregnancy and 18-Year Conservation Effort

A zoo in Spain recently welcomed a baby white rhinoceros after a 491-day gestation period.

BIOPARC Valencia, a zoo located on the eastern coast of the country, announced the arrival of their latest addition through an Instagram post on Nov. 6.

In the translated caption, the zoo shared that the baby rhino was born two days prior on Nov. 4.

“On day 491 of gestation, BIOPARC Valencia witnessed the exciting and live birth of its first northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum),” zoo staff wrote.

The animal establishment added that the birth was the culmination of an 18-year project part of international conservation efforts for the species.

BIOPARC Valencia went on to share that the rhino who gave birth was giving the new calf “all her attention” and the baby rhino was “lively.”

“These first few days are crucial, and it is essential to maintain composure and extreme caution, constantly monitoring the progress of both mother and calf. For now, they will remain in their enclosures, awaiting integration with the other rhinos,” the zoo added.

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In an Instagram update, BIOPARC Valencia shared a carousel of photos of the animal, celebrating it being two weeks old.

In an Instagram update, BIOPARC Valencia shared a carousel of photos of the animal, celebrating it being two weeks old.

“His development continues to be very positive, always under the care of his mother. The little one is still exploring all the indoor facilities before beginning to explore the outdoor savanna, where, gradually, he will join the group with which the nature park participates in the international conservation program for this endangered species,” the zoo wrote.

It went on to share that the baby rhino does not yet have a name, but the zoo will soon post “a list” of options, allowing the general public to vote on their favorite.

White rhinos are the second-largest land mammal on Earth. They can be found in two different regions of Africa, per the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

While technically gray in color, their name is believed to have originated from the Afrikaans word for wide — “wyd” — which referred to their wide, square lips. It is thought that early English explorers mistook the word for “white,” the organization said.

Southern white rhinos were believed to be extinct in the late 19th century, but a small population of “fewer than 100″ was later discovered in South Africa in 1895, per the WWF.

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“After more than a century of protection and management, they are now classified as Near Threatened, and around 18,000 animals exist in protected areas and private game reserves,” the organization said.

White rhinos are the only one of five rhino species that are not currently considered endangered.