Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo has welcomed the pitter-patter of little hooves in recent weeks, and more new arrivals are on the way!

Southern black rhinoceros Mesi gave birth to a healthy male calf late on Saturday, 24 August. Keepers had been monitoring the mum-to-be closely in the lead-up to the delivery.

“Mesi gave birth overnight in a behind-the-scenes breeding area within our black rhinoceros complex,” Black Rhino Keeper Grace Humphery said.

“Being a first-time mum, Mesi took a little bit of time to bond with her calf following his birth. She is a very cautious black rhino and this was evident in how she approached the calf following delivery. However, within 24 hours she had moved into mum mode, which was great to see.”

Mesi and her newborn calf are doing well and are now absolutely inseparable, Grace said.

“Mesi has really stepped into her role as mum,” she said. “She is super protective of her calf, he is feeding well, and hitting all of his key milestones for his first few weeks.”

“To see them together is just beautiful. He is a very brave and curious calf. Having another black rhino on the ground is so special. He will be an important part of our conservation program and an amazing little ambassador for his species.”

Mesi and her yet-to-be-named calf will remain behind the scenes to bond together over the coming months. This also allows the zoo’s black rhino keepers to build rapport with the calf, which will be vital for his ongoing health and well-being. Adult male black rhinos can grow to 1.7 metres tall and over 1300 kilograms, meaning cooperative care is crucial.

While the public will have to wait a little longer to meet Mesi’s calf, Taronga Western Plains Zoo has welcomed three new giraffe calves this year, and two more are expected in the next month. A number of the addax (also known as the white antelope) are due to give birth any day.

But the big news in recent weeks has been the confirmation of the pregnancy of 18-year-old Asian elephant Anjalee. Given Asian elephants are endangered in the wild, every pregnancy is crucial. Anjalee is expected to deliver her calf at the end of 2025.

Ticket Giveaway

To celebrate the new arrivals at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Orange City Life has tickets to give away!

Two lucky readers will each win a family pass (two adults and two children) to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. The tickets are valid for two days after entry, so you will have plenty of time to see all the zoo has to offer.

To enter, simply scan the QR code and enter your name and contact details. Or you can email them to reception@oclife.com.au, or drop them into the office by 12 noon on Monday, September 30. The two lucky winners will be notified by phone. Good luck!

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is open 8.30am-4pm daily, with tickets valid for two consecutive days. For more information about planning a visit to Taronga Western Plains Zoo or to purchase tickets online, visit www.taronga.org.au/dubbo-zoo.