PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Zoo welcomed an endangered species to their family this week.
This Monday, 11-year-old eastern black rhinoceros, Jozi, gave birth to a 100-pound baby at the Oregon Zoo.
Jozi's zookeeper told KGW that said their newborn is now one of the less than 5,000 black rhinos alive in the world today. The species is poached daily in Africa due to the belief their horns have medicinal powers, while some believe simply owning the horns means that the owner is royalty.
"They are being killed twice a day, just for their horn on the black market," said Virginia Grimley, an animal caretaker for the Oregon Zoo. "It is illegal, but because of that, they are critically endangered, and so, we're here to save them."
Zoo staff said they are staying completely hands-off and still haven't done a gender check, allowing the pair plenty of bonding time.
The Oregon Zoo has yet to come up with a name and said the newborn won't come out to play until the weather is at least in the 60s and dry.
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