ASHEBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina Zoo said Friday that its new baby rhino calf, which was born July 2, has been named Nandi.

• The female calf is the first of her kind to be born at the zoo in 41 years.
• Zookeepers have said she is healthy and developing normally.
• Southern white rhinos face several threats including poaching and habitat loss.

Nandi was the first rhino born at the Zoo in 41 years. She was born to mother Linda and father Stormy.

The public voted on seven names chosen by zookeepers.

All of the name options, Nandi, Mamba, Diana, Boadicea, Grace O’Malley, Penelope and Wilhelmina, reflected the theme of strong, female leaders in history – both real and fictional.

The top three names chosen in the public poll were: Nandi, Mamba and Diana.

Finally Nandi’s dad, Stormy, picked the name by picking a treat with “Nandi” written on it.

The zoo said Nandi means "a woman of high esteem." She was the Queen of the Zulus and born in the 1700s.

A second female baby rhino was born at the zoo on July 13 to different parents.

The zoo will soon offer details about her naming process soon.