West Midland Safari Park have been celebrating the first birthday of Ekozu, a southern white rhino and the first to be born at the zoo in ten years.
His birth last year was highly celebrated by staff and also marked a success for the park’s breeding programme of the species. Southern white rhinos are listed as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. This is partly due to habitat loss, but more commonly, poaching for the illegal trade in rhino horn. Ekozu is part of the park’s crash of six white rhinos, made up of four females and now, two males
As an extra special treat, a giant cake was constructed for Ekozu, made of hay, apples, cabbage and carrots, all covering a carefully made, cake-shaped cardboard base. Keepers had an inkling that Ekozu would enjoy demolishing the cake as much as he would enjoy eating it!
Presenting and preparing food in various ways is part of an animal keeper’s job, as it provides enrichment for the animals in their care, as well as ensuring they are receiving a varied and nutritious diet
Head Keeper of Ungulates, Lisa Watkins, said, “Ekozu has given us an amazing first year with lots of laughs with his cheeky ways. His keepers are delighted with how well he is getting on and his mum, Ailsa, has done an amazing job of raising such an adorable character. He loves his food and in his first year has grown from 67.5kg to just over 400kg. .
The rhinos can be seen in West Midland Safari Park’s four-mile self-drive safari, included in the group admission charge of £10.50 for adults, £9.50 for children aged 3-15 and £10.00 for concessions, based on ten or more paying passengers arriving by coach or mini bus. Children under the age of three are free of charge.
Further information visit www.wmsp.co.uk or telephone 01299 402114.
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