North Carolina Zoo Welcomes Two New Baby Rhinoceroses

In the last few weeks, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro has welcomed not one, but two new additions to its southern white rhinoceros herd. 

The babies are the first rhinos to be born at the zoo in over 40 years.

One arrived on July 2 to mother Linda and father Stormy. And the second was born on July 13 to Kit and Stormy.

The herd and its new calves live in a 40-acre habitat along with eight different species of antelope and an ostrich.

Zookeeper Stacy Weatherly says the zoo is currently looking to name the first baby, and each keeper gave a suggestion.

“We have Boadicea, Diana, Grace O'Malley, Mamba, Nandi, Penelope, and Wilhemina," she says. "Most of them are all strong women; they were all queens or generals in war or leaders."  

The public can vote for their favorite on the zoo's Facebook page.

The rhinos weighed around 90 to 100 pounds at birth and could grow to be anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 pounds as mature adults. Both mothers and babies are healthy and doing well.