Keepers get rare insight into little rhino’s arrival

THE birth of the only white rhino born in the UK this year is being celebrated at a West attraction.

- LAUREN BEAVIS

> Markus is the 12th rhino calf to be born at Cotswold Wildlife Park

(Cotswold Wildlife Park/SWNS)

Markus is the newest addition to the rhino family at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens.

He is the 12th rhino calf to be born at the Burford site in 12 years, and his birth and conception was caught on film in an extremely “rare” occurrence.

Keepers explained how uncommon it is to catch rhino births on camera - as females usually give birth during the night.

However, mammal keeper Liam Klingsick was present the evening Markus was born, and in less than 45 minutes, the 16-month pregnancy was over and attentive mother Nancy gave birth to a healthy male calf.

Head keeper Mark Godwin, who has worked at the park for 35 years, also witnessed Markus’s entry into the world.

Mark, who has looked after the ever-growing “crash” (the collective noun for a group of rhinos) for the last 12 years, said that Markus is “one of most confident calves” he has ever seen.

Mark said: “Newborns weigh approximately 70kg at birth and put on roughly 1.5-2kg a day in weight.

“If he grows into his features, he will be a big lad.”

‘The park’s team explained how rhino births in captivity are extremely rare - as just five white rhinos were born in total in European zoological collections in 2025.