'Energetic' white rhino born at wildlife park

Markus has been described by park staff as "high-spirited"

A wildlife park has welcomed a baby white rhino in the "only birth of its kind in the UK in 2025".

Markus is now part of a group of eight rhinos, known as a crash, at the park and is the 12th calf to be born there in the space of 12 years.

Cotswold Wildlife Park, in Oxfordshire, said Markus was the only white rhino born in the UK this year, adding that the event was caught on camera.

It said the calf was healthy and nursing well from his mother Nancy, who has had seven calves with breeding male Monty.

Markus will stay with his mother Nancy for the next year

In a statement, the park said: "Luckily keepers were present the evening Markus was born.

"In less than 45 minutes, the 16-month pregnancy was over and Nancy gave birth to a male calf."

Head keeper Mark Godwin said: "He's one of most confident calves I've seen. If he grows into his features, he will be a big lad."

Mr Godwin said newborn rhinos typically weigh 11 stone (70kg) and rhinos have one of the longest gestation periods of any land mammal.

Markus has been named after conservation scientist Dr Markus Borner

The park said Markus was proving to be a "high-spirited and boisterous addition to the crash", who has been "delighting" visitors with "energetic outbursts".

The calf will stay with his mother for the next year and has been named in honour of the late Dr Markus Borner, a conservation scientist who worked in Africa.

Reggie Heyworth, chairman of Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, said: "He [Dr Borner] gave me my break into conservation when he was head of Frankfurt Zoological Society in Tanzania.

"He was not only a giant of conservation but also my incredibly supportive boss and he became one of my best friends."