As feisty as his name implies, a critically endangered Black rhino calf is thriving after being born at White Oak Conservation the internationally respected wildlife refuge north of Jacksonville.
Rocky weighed in at 70 pounds when born in August at the nonprofit refuge for rare species owned by philanthropists Kimbra and Mark Walter. Now four months old, Rocky tips the scales at 250 pounds.
“Mom has been great and protective, keeping him very close,” said Brandon Speeg, director of conservation at White Oak. “That’s why in the wild, rhino calves are not a real easy target for carnivores. They have a large, protective mom to watch over them.”
Critically endangered black rhino Born at White Oak Conservation
Melissa Harris, CEO, M. Harris & Co.
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Photo: White Oak Conservation
YULEE, Fla. – White Oak Conservation, a refuge for rare species in Northeastern Florida, announced the birth of a male black rhino on Wednesday.
Staff named the feisty youngster “Rocky” after the boxing legend.
The rhino was born to parents of South African ancestry. At birth in August, he weighed in at 70 pounds and at four months old, he now tips the scales at 250 pounds.
Photo: White Oak Conservation
“Mom has been great and protective, keeping him very close,” Brandon Speeg, director of conservation at White Oak, said. “That’s why in the wild, rhino calves are not a real easy target for carnivores. They have a large, protective mom to watch over them.”