The Zoological Center of Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan is celebrating the addition of a new baby white rhino to its growing 28-strong rhinoceros herd.

Tanda, a 23-year-old mare, gave birth to the healthy male calf this week. It’s her fourth birth since arriving at the Israeli zoo 13 years ago.

“She is nursing him and taking very good care of him,” Gali Berkovich, an animal trainer at the park, told Reuters. “Rhinos are highly endangered animals … so this is why every birth is very important not just to us but for the entire species.”

Zookeepers separated Tanda from the rest of the herd in an open area “maternity ward” days before she gave birth.

Tanda and her newborn will spend about a week in isolation before returning to join the rest of the herd in the safari’s African area.

(via Israel21c)

[Photo: Israel21c ]