TAMPA, Fla. – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is celebrating the birth of a new female southern white rhino calf! The little one, weighing in at about 100 pounds, was born to an experienced mom, Kisiri. She’ll soon be joining the park’s diverse group of African animals on the sprawling 65-acre Serengeti Plain.
The park is inviting rhino enthusiasts to help name the calf through a limited-time online poll. The choices, all rooted in the Swahili language, are Azizi (“precious treasure”), Zahara (“flower”), and Zina (“secret” or “beautiful”).
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The poll is open now and closes on September 28th, with the winning name announced on the park’s social media channels.
In the coming days, guests can see the calf exploring the Serengeti Plain with her mom and the rest of the rhino crash. It’s a unique chance to watch her grow and develop—she’s expected to gain an impressive 100 pounds monthly!
Guests can submit their vote at BuschGardensTampa.com/BabyRhino
Busch Gardens’ Commitment to Rhino Conservation
Southern white rhinos, native to eastern and southern Africa, are currently listed as near threatened by the IUCN. The new calf is part of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s participation in the AZA’s Species Survival Plan, a program aimed at protecting and managing endangered species populations within accredited zoos and aquariums.
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