Rare Indian rhino calf born at Fota Wildlife Park in only second such birth in Ireland

The male calf was born to Maya and Jamil in July, as the Cork wildlife park celebrates a string of conservation breeding successes

The Indian rhinoceros, also known as the greater one-horned rhinoceros, is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Picture: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO

Fota Wildlife Park has announced the birth of a male Indian rhino calf, only the second Indian rhino ever born in Ireland and the second in the wildlife park’s history.

Born on July 13 to mother Maya and father Jamil, the birth of the Indian rhino calf follows a period of conservation breeding successes at the Cork wildlife park, including the births of critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs and a Nubian giraffe, endangered Asian lion cubs and a François' langur monkey.

The Indian rhinoceros, also known as the greater one-horned rhinoceros, is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated 4,000 individuals remaining in the wild.

Liam McConville, senior ranger at Fota Wildlife Park said: “We were all absolutely delighted when Maya gave birth on the 13th of July to a very healthy calf after the gestation period of over 16 months.

“The young male calf is doing exceptionally well. Maya has been a fantastic mother and is incredibly protective of him.

“We’ve been keeping a close eye on both of them, and she rarely lets him stray too far while he explores the habitat.

“During the recent warm weather, we even saw her gently guide him back into the shade whenever she felt it was getting too hot.” 

A rare arrival at Fota 

The Indian rhinoceros is the largest of the three rhino species found in Asia. There are five surviving rhinoceros species, with two species native to Africa and three to Asia.

Visitors to Fota Wildlife Park are being invited to help name the young male calf.

Entries can be submitted at a collection point in the Serengeti Shop until September 13, and one lucky winner will receive an annual pass to Fota Wildlife Park.