Historic Baby White Rhino Birth Expected Soon At Safari West

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The first rhinoceros ever born in Sonoma County is expected to arrive at Safari West sometime in the next two months, park officials recently announced.

The historic birth will be the first for Mother Easha, a Southern white rhinoceros who first arrived at Safari West as a 4-year-old in 2008.

"Over the last 15 years, she has helped us teach tens of thousands of guests about the plight rhinos are facing in the wild and the amazing organizations that are working to sustain and grow rhino populations," the park said in a March 25 announcement. "While we always hoped Eesha might one day contribute to the growth of rhino populations, she never had more than a platonic relationship with her male rhino habitat mates. This changed in 2021 when Ongava arrived and was introduced to Eesha!"

Ongava came to Safari West as a recommended breeding match from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ White Rhino Species Survival Plan, or SSP, ensuring a healthy genetic pairing. When Eesha and Ongava were introduced, the pair exhibited the assertive behaviors normally seen in rhino courtship, as well as a few breeding attempts.

Throughout 2022, the park saw positive signs of pregnancy. Blood draws revealed continuously elevated levels of the hormone progesterone, and regular transabdominal ultrasounds displayed calf movement.

White rhinos have a gestation of 16–18 months, so a lot of patience is required when anticipating a new baby. Safari West staff have baby-proofed the rhino habitat in preparation for the new calf. Based on when staff suspects breeding occurred, the park expects the calf to arrive sometime in the next two months.

"The birthing process has a level of risk for every animal," park officials said. "We are especially cautious, because while it is very common for female white rhinos to have babies at Eesha’s age, it is uncommon for female white rhinos to have their first calf at Eesha’s age. She is 18 years old. Based on the veterinary examinations and ultrasounds we have conducted, we are optimistic and hopeful for the birth of a healthy calf. Given the challenges rhinos are currently facing in the wild, a pregnant rhino anywhere in the world is reason to celebrate."

Rhinos have become an integral part of Safari West’s mission of conservation education.

"We hope that the news of this pregnancy will help raise awareness of the fight to protect rhinos," the park said. "Unfortunately, all five rhino species are struggling in the wild—the International Rhino Foundation’s 2022 State of the Rhino Report reveals three species are critically endangered, with two of those species having populations of less than 100 individuals left in the world."

The white rhino, the species at Safari West, is currently doing the best in the wild of all five rhino species with a declining population of approximately 16,000 individuals. The decline in rhino populations is largely due to poaching for their horns, which have perceived value as medicine and symbols of status and wealth.

Safari West supports the International Rhino Foundation. The IRF works to save rhinos using many strategies, from anti-poaching efforts to community education and campaigns to reduce the demand for rhino horns.