If the pregnancy goes to full term Terra Natura will be the first zoo in Spain to successfully reproduce the species in captivity.

After the mating season ended,  tests were carried out in an Austrian laboratory on the female Rhino’s faeces that confirmed her pregnancy. These samples were taken twice a week and sent to the specialized laboratory in Vienna. The test looks for increased hormone levels which only occur naturally when the female is pregnant.

The news has delighted the keepers at the park who have closely cared for Niko a 24 year old male and Shiwa an eight year old female for over a year.  The due delivery date will be some time between January and March.

If Shiwa completes the 17 months gestation period Terra Natura will be the first and only zoo in Spain to breed this species in captivity.  The Indian rhino is an endangered species and it is currently estimated that there are only about 2,500 in the wild in India and Nepal.

The advanced age of Niko did not seem to affect his ability with this young female.  In males, sexual maturity is usually around the age of nine while in female it is from the age of five.  The species has a life expectancy of between 30 and 40 years although fertility declines from the age of thirty in females.

Exbenidorm

More photos from Terra Natura Benidorm.