‘Extremely rare’ birth of baby White Rhino caught on camera

By Lauren Beavis

Pictures show a baby White Rhino born at a wildlife park - with the ''extremely rare'' birth caught on film.

Cotswold Wildlife Park say mum Ruby gave birth to an ''adorable'' female calf called Mo - only the second born in the UK this year.

Keepers knew Ruby was pregnant but the actual birth came as a surprise and earlier than expected.

The newborn is the thirteenth Rhino born at the collection in the last twelve years.

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.

The new addition is her sixth calf with breeding male Monty.

Earlier this year 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.

The Park’s Curator and Managing Director, Jamie Craig, commented: “To have such a successful record breeding this incredible species is down to our team of dedicated keepers.

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‘Extremely rare’ birth of baby White Rhino caught on camera

''A paddock full of Rhino is a great sight and the new arrivals are certainly keeping the team on their toes”.

The calf has been named ‘Mo’ in honour of a much-loved member of staff, Mrs Maureen Clifford.

The key person at the heart of the Park’s main office from 1978 until her retirement in 2017, her enduring contribution to the Park spanned almost four decades.

Maureen, affectionately known as ‘Mo’ to close friends, still visits with her family and is delighted that the new calf is named after her.

It is rare to catch Rhino births on camera as females usually give birth during the night.

Luckily, the day Ruby unexpectedly went into labour, Conservation Officer Bethan Peacock managed to capture the event on camera.

Just thirty minutes after her birth, Mo was taking her first wobbly steps with mum Ruby gently encouraging her newborn to stand with a little help from her horn.

The calf will stay with her mother for at least two years, benefiting from her protection.

Females guard their offspring aggressively and are intimidating adversaries if challenged.

The new arrival brings the total number of Rhinos currently at the Park to nine – the highest number residing at the collection at any one time in its fifty-five year history.

It is also one of the largest family groups on show anywhere in the country.

Visitors can see the new calves daily* from 10am to 4pm (last entry at 3pm) in the solar powered Rhino House or in the large Rhino paddock (weather permitting).

Cotswold Wildlife Park works closely with the UK-based conservation charity Tusk to protect Africa’s many threatened species.

For more information about Tusk please visit www.tusk.org.