Mazel Tov! After an 18-months pregnancy, Tanda, a 20-year-old white rhino gave birth Terkel, a rare white rhino calf, at the Ramat Gan Safari near Tel Aviv.
Terkel was born on June 15, which is a reason to celebrate since white rhinos are considered rare and difficult to breed in captivity, and are constantly trying to keep out of the endangered list. 300 white rhinos are killed every year by poachers who hunt them for their horns. White rhinos are not really white, it is a mistranslation from the Dutch “wijd,” which means “wide” in English.
Terkel is named after zoologist Dr. Amelia Terkel, who is retiring after 30 years at the Ramat Gan Safari. His mother Tanda, who was born in South Africa, gave birth to his older brother Tibor, four and a half years ago.
Shortly after being born, Terkel tried to get on his feet, and was able to do so with the help of Tanda.
Enjoy the photos of Terkel’s first day!
1. Terkel Trying to stand up for the first time
(Photo by Tibor Jager/Ramat Gan Safari)
2. Getting a push from mom
(Photo by Tibor Jager/Ramat Gan Safari)
3.Success!
Photo by Tibor jager/Ramat Gan Safari/FLASH90
4. Terkel hanging out with mom
(Photo by Tibor jager/Ramat Gan Safari/FLASH90)
5. And gets dirty
Photo by Tibor jager/Ramat Gan Safari/FLASH90
6. So he gets his first shower
(Photo by Tibor Jager/Ramat Gan Safari)
7. Time for Terkel’s first lunch! Nom nom nom!
(Photo by Tibor Jager/Ramat Gan Safari)
8. Terkel is being a sassypants by sticking out his tongue
(Photo by Tibor Jager/Ramat Gan Safari)
9. And generally has an awesome rhino swagger
(Photo by Tibor Jager/Ramat Gan Safari)
10. But nothing beats the feeling of chilling under mom’s horn after a long day
Photo by Tibor jager/Ramat Gan Safari/FLASH90
