Whipsnade Zoo rhino born as part of endangered species programme

A zoo has welcomed the birth of a rhino as part of an endangered species breeding programme.

The calf was born at Whipsnade Zoo on 7 March weighing 45kg.

Southern white rhinos are still being hunted for their horns and it is estimated there are only 10,000 adults left in the wild.

"Last year in South Africa alone, around 500 white rhinos were killed," said Whipsnade's rhino keeper Mark Holden.

Southern white rhinos are classed as "near threatened" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.