HONOLULU — Mama Aria and papa Kendi are the proud parents of a male baby Eastern black rhinoceros born on April 19 at Honolulu Zoo.

What You Need To Know

  • The calf currently weighs about 50 pounds, 1/50th of mom Aria’s 2,600 pounds

  • Mom and calf will venture out into the exhibit within the next few months

  • The Eastern black rhino is a critically endangered species

  • Eastern black rhinos can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and have three toes, thick dark brown to gray-colored skin, and two fibrous keratin horns

Both parents arrived at the zoo in September and November of last year from San Diego, and are a breeding pair as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.

“We are all so thrilled with the very first birth of a rhinoceros at the Honolulu Zoo,” said Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos in a news release.

“We celebrate a successful SSP pairing and are very fortunate to have such a special educational opportunity for our staff to observe Aria throughout her pregnancy and watch her delivery. Everyone is very excited to work with the black rhinos and monitor the baby’s progress and development. Our animal care staff have done an excellent job preparing for the baby’s arrival and it was truly remarkable to see the baby stand, walk and start to bond with his mom within the first hour of being born,” said Santos.

The calf is 1/50th of Aria’s weight of 2,600 pounds. Weighing in at about 50 pounds, he is curious, has a playful personality and stays close to mom. Officials will determine the calf’s name at a later date.

People can currently see Kendi in one half of the rhino exhibit in the African Savanna near the play apparatus. Once mom and calf venture out into the exhibit within the next few months, they will occupy the other half until the family can be safely integrated together. Officials ask zoo visitors to be respectful while viewing the rhino family and taking pictures.

The Eastern black rhino is a critically endangered species. The smaller of the two African rhino species (the other is the white rhino), the Eastern black rhino stands up to 5 feet high at the shoulder and is approximately 12 feet long.

They can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and have three toes, thick dark brown to gray-colored skin, and two fibrous keratin horns. Eastern black rhinos have a pointed upper lip compared to the square upper lip of the white rhino. They have been reported to live up to 35 years in the wild and up to 50 years in the care of humans.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.