Indian Rhinoceros Calf Born at Zoo Basel

Zoo Basel has announced the birth of an Indian rhinoceros calf named Xshama at its facility in northern Switzerland. The zoo confirmed the arrival of the young animal as part of its ongoing conservation and breeding program for the species. According to a statement issued by the zoo management, the birth represents a further development in the institution's decades-long efforts to protect the species.

The Indian rhinoceros is officially classified as vulnerable on the Red List of Threatened Species maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The zoo reported that global populations of the animal have suffered substantial declines in recent years, prompting heightened conservation measures across participating zoological institutions.

Zoo Basel has been actively committed to the protection and captive breeding of the Indian rhinoceros for 70 years, according to its official records. The institution established an early milestone in global wildlife conservation in 1956 when a male calf named Rudra was born at the facility. At the time, Rudra's birth was considered an international sensation, as it was the first documented instance of an Indian rhinoceros being born in a zoo.

Since Rudra was born in 1956, the Basel zoo has recorded a cumulative total of 38 Indian rhinoceros births within its breeding program. The arrival of Xshama adds to this continuous historical record maintained by the Swiss institution. Zoo Basel stated that it intends to maintain its long-term dedication to preserving the endangered species within international breeding frameworks.

Written by Andreas Hofer andreas.hofer@alpineweekly.com