Greetings again from the ungulate team at Monarto! Well it's been a very busy month up here as you would all be aware, these babies are certainly keeping us on our toes as they get bigger and bigger and bigger. Recently Channel 10 News ran a naming competition for our newest member of the white rhino family. Once the competition was closed we were handed a bound book of name suggestions from people of all ages which included suggestions ranging from Kevin Fitzcrumb, the entire cute and cuddly section of the Swahili dictionary, and even the suggestion of Julia Gillard! It took a while but finally we came up with a shortlist of 18 names from which we as a team agreed upon one.

Everyone wanted to help name this cute calf!

I'm sure everyone has heard the fantastic news by now but we're going to share our excitement with you all one more time. The ungulate team has been awaiting the birth of a zebra and Southern White Rhinoceros for some time now and this week they both arrived. For just over a week we have been watching our female zebra, Kenya, closely as her udder continued to get bigger and bigger and on Monday morning we found a damp, wobbly and fluffy little filly suckling happily. The call went out to all staff that we had a new family member, followed by much ohhing, ahhing and cheering. We do love our babies!

This cute filly has already become a favourite at Monarto!

It seems like not so long ago I was writing to you all announcing the safe arrival of Digger, our not so little baby Southern White Rhinoceros. Well they've been at it again! That's right; the ungulate team at Monarto are thrilled to announce that in the not too distant future we should be hearing the pitter patter of not so tiny, baby rhino feet. In May last year while we were all oohing and ahhing over the playful antics of Digger Uhura, the longest-standing member of our Southern White Rhino family, was paying special attention to Satara our star breeding male. The two are no strangers to each other having bred twice before producing beautiful calves Watoto, in 2005, and Jubari, in 2007.

Big Bellied Uhura!

G'day again from the land of Digger.

Since our last blog things have been going along nicely. Uhura, Umqali and Digger have been residing in the Contact Boma most days which suits Digger just fine. They have had the odd day off to allow our bull, Ibutho, the chance to run around and stretch his legs. He has taken a real shine to his 'aunty' Uhura who is now the best play toy ever.

Digger, the Southern White Rhino calf, is now a month old, I know it seems like only yesterday he was fifty kilograms. Mum, Umqali, and he are doing really well. Umqali continues to be an exceptional mother, responding in kind to Digger’s every demand, including being there for him when he kisses the electric fence...for the third time.

For some time now staff at Monarto have been eagerly waiting, and waiting, AND……waiting, the birth of a rhino calf.

Monday 25th April put an end to our waiting game with the arrival of a wrinkly, big footed baby rhino. Staff arrived early ANZAC day to find mum resting inside her boma, which is unusual for that time of morning, and upon hearing staff Umqali promptly greeted us revealing a tiny baby hiding behind her.

Our female rhino, Umqali, gave birth to a male calf, which we found looking adorable and strong on the morning of ANZAC day.

All is going well so far and we hope to have him and mum on exhibit shortly. Stay tuned!

Beth
Curator of Living Collections, Monarto Zoo