Nduta’s Newborn

Nduta, one of the first rhino on Ol Pejeta, has given birth to her third calf.

Black rhino Nduta arrived in 1990, along with 27 others, who were translocated from various reserves around Kenya to start a new population on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Our rangers were delighted to discover this month that she has given birth again. The newborn calf, a female, yet to be named, has two older brothers – Ruhan, three years old, and Robbie who is seven.

Many mammal species leave their newborns unattended as they go out in search of food. More often than not, parents will leave their young in thick bush, or a den, to protect them from predators. Rhino are no different. Upon discovering a little rhino calf in thick bush while on patrol, our rangers waited four hours before Nduta returned to her baby.

Black rhino mothers are some of the best in the animal kingdom, notorious for being extremely protective of their young. The new arrival signals the end of young Ruhan’s time with his mother, as he will now gradually drift apart and establish his own territory.