ORLANDO—Rhinoceros may be the world’s second largest land animal, but at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there’s a tiny new one. Kendi, an endangered white rhino, gave birth to a male rhino at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on Sunday, October 25. Disney is now offering a first look at him bonding with mom in newly released video.
Rhinos have a long gestation period—approximately 16 to 18 months. The Disney’s Animal Kingdom team of veterinarians, scientists and animal keepers have been monitoring Kendi throughout her pregnancy, conducting regular checkups and ultrasounds.
The yet-to-be-named male rhino was standing up within the first hour. The calf will be introduced to the rhino “crash” on the savanna in the coming weeks.
This is the first of several rhino births on the horizon. Two other rhinos at the park are also expecting; Jao is due fall 2021, and Lola will likely give birth in fall/winter 2021.
