Home / Environment / Endangered Black Rhino Calf Debuts at Cleveland Zoo, Captivating Visitors
Endangered Black Rhino Calf Debuts at Cleveland Zoo, Captivating Visitors
10 Oct
Summary
- Critically endangered Eastern Black Rhino calf born on September 13, 2025
- Calf weighs 120 pounds and is very playful, running around and "getting the zoomies"
- Zoo is holding a contest to name the calf, with three options: Makena, Kenza or Kamari
On October 10, 2025, a critically endangered Eastern Black Rhino calf made its public debut at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The male calf, born just a month earlier on September 13, 2025, has already captured the hearts of zoo visitors with its energetic and playful behavior.
Weighing in at 120 pounds, the young rhino has been exploring its enclosure, the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve, and even interacting with pumpkins. According to animal keeper Stefanie Titterington, the calf is "very playful, runs around, gets the zoomies, so it's very fun to take care of him, especially when they're this age."
The zoo is currently holding a contest for guests to choose the calf's name, with three options: Makena, Kenza or Kamari. Zoo member Alex Budinger expressed excitement at the opportunity to see the new arrival, saying, "We're very excited that there's a new baby to come and check out and we thought it was a great day to come out and see the rhino."
The birth of this Eastern Black Rhino calf is a significant event, as the species is critically endangered, with fewer than 583 adults remaining in the wild. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has a long history of caring for this species and collaborating with global partners to help conserve the endangered rhinos.
