A critically endangered black rhino mother gave birth to a healthy calf on Christmas Eve according to the officials at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan.

According to the reports, the black rhino calf was born on December 24 at 6 in the morning, whereas his mother, 12, encouraged the adorable newborn to stand up in just less than two hours after he was born.

“This is a monumental moment for Potter Park Zoo that has taken our staff years of planning and hard work. We are dedicated to conserving rhinos and couldn’t be more excited about this successful black rhino birth,” Cynthia Wagner, the zoo’s director, expressed.

As the officials also revealed, the calf and his mother will be confined and kept from the eyes of the visitors until the spring for their own good.

“As this is Doppsee’s first pregnancy, the animal care and veterinary staff will continue to monitor Doppsee and her calf closely in the next few weeks,” veterinarian Dr. Ronan Eustace added.

“But so far, the rhino calf appears healthy and we have observed frequent nursing shortly after the birth, which is encouraging.”

According to the zoo, the birth signifies an important milestone due to the fact that the species is at tremendous risk of extinction.

Among other causes, black rhinos have become critically endangered due to habitat loss and illegal poaching, prompting conservation centers to come up with joint efforts to secure the future of the species.

As per the official speculations, it is believed that there are only around 5,000 black rhinos left roaming the wild.

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