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Cotswold Wildlife Park delighted at surprise arrival of second Rhino calf in one year
Cotswold Wildlife Park is celebrating a rather unexpected arrival. White Rhino Ruby gave birth to an adorable female calf named Mo. Keepers knew Ruby was pregnant, but the actual birth came as a bit of a surprise and a little earlier than expected. The calf’s mother was named after writer, comedienne and long-time friend of the Park, Ruby Wax, shortly after arriving from South Africa in 2009.
It’s been a remarkable year for the Rhino family. Recently, White Rhino Nancy gave birth to a male calf named Markus. Births in captivity are extremely rare. At the time, he was the only White Rhino born in the UK in 2025. Ruby’s new arrival means that Cotswold Wildlife Park has successfully produced the UK’s only two White Rhino calves this year. In total, including these new siblings, just six White Rhinos were born in European zoological collections in 2025.
As Ruby gave birth during the day, keepers were able to film the newborn's birth and her adorable first wobbly steps (with mum Ruby gently encouraging her newborn to stand with a little help from her horn). Keepers also filmed Mo's first venture outside, galloping around the paddock with her half-brother Markus, as well as the first tender moment she met her older siblings in the Rhino yard.
Photography © Rory Carnegie