PICTURES: Indian one-horned rhino born through artificial insemination

Posted by Christi Nortier on 29 April 2019

For the first time, a greater one-horned Indian rhinoceros has been born as a result of artificial insemination.

Akuti and her baby at Zoo Miami. Photo: Ron Magill.

There are only 3,000 of this species left in small protected areas of Nepal, India and Assam. They have been poached for their single horn, which is used in medicine and dagger handles, and the rhinos are now listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

After a 15-month pregnancy, the baby was born at Zoo Miami. Although the zoo has confirmed that the baby is healthy and doing well, the road to its birth was not always certain.

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Initial indications are that the newborn is healthy and doing well but more detailed information will not become available until the veterinary team is able to do a neonatal exam. This will be performed when the staff feels that it can safely separate the infant from its very protective mother for the few minutes that the exam will take. It is critical that the mother and newborn are able to establish a bond which can sometimes be a challenge for first time mothers. Because of the extreme sensitivity of the situation, there will be no media access until zoo management has determined that everything is stable and the new mother and baby have been able to adjust. If everything goes well, it will probably be a few weeks until mom and baby are on public display.⁣ ⁣ There are less than 3,000 Indian rhinos left in the wild occurring in small protected areas of Nepal, India, and Assam. Over the years, they have been poached extensively for their horn which is used for medicinal purposes and for dagger handles that are revered in some Asian cultures. They are the world’s fourth largest land mammal sometimes reaching a weight of 6,000 pounds.⁣ ⁣ This very rare birth is not only significant for Zoo Miami, it is incredibly important to the international efforts to maintain a healthy population under human care of this highly vulnerable species throughout the world.⁣ ⁣ Video: Ron Magill ⁣ ⁣ #ZooMiami #Rhino #ZooBorn #GreaterOneHornedIndianRhinoceros

A post shared by Zoo Miami (@zoomiami) on Apr 24, 2019 at 9:02am PDT

Both parents were born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, but it was only in 2018 that they were once again reunited at Zoo Miami. Natural breeding proved unsuccessful, but artificial insemination resulted in a conception.

After the conception was confirmed, Akuti (the mother rhino) underwent ‘training’ to make her comfortable with ultrasound examinations so that zoo staff could keep a watchful eye on her and her baby.

For the few days leading up to the birth, Akuti was observed around the clock.

Indian one-horned rhinos can weigh as much as a SUV. Image: Ron Magill.

Indian one-horned rhinos can weigh as much as an SUV and their thick folds of skin help them to move more easily. Image: Ron Magill

Baby rhinos tend to stay with their mother for 2 years. Image: Ron Magill.

Baby rhinos tend to stay with their mother for two years. Image: Ron Magill.

When the weather is good, these rhinos enjoy a swim. Image: Ron Magill

Indian one-horned rhinos can charge at up to 50km/hr, jump and change direction quickly. Image: Ron Magill.

Indian one-horned rhinos can charge at up to 50km/hr and jump and change direction quickly. Image: Ron Magill

For now, the veterinary team and the public are all keeping their distance. The team will need to separate the baby from its mother for just a few minutes to conduct an examination, but they are hesitant to do this until the mother and baby have adjusted to their new lives. According to National Geographic, rhino babies stick close to their mothers for two years.

It will be a few weeks until the two can be visited by the public.

Feature image: Ron Magill

PICTURES: Indian one-horned rhino born through artificial insemination

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