BOSSES at the Safari Zoo in Dalton have confirmed a baby rhino has been born at the park.

In a social media post yesterday, the zoo's owner David Gill proudly posted pictures of the new arrival, called Indiana. The zoo is expected to welcome more baby white rhinos, with two other females currently pregnant, with one due to give birth within the next two months.

Safari Zoo staff along with David S Gill and his family proudly announce the birth of their 4th African White Rhinoceros calf. Mother Ntombi is doing fine along with little Indiana. It is Ntombi's third calf and she has always been an excellent mother.

In his post, Mr Gill said: "Safari Zoo staff along with David Gill and his family proudly announce the birth of their fourth African White Rhinoceros calf. Mother Ntombi is doing fine along with little Indiana. It is Ntombi's third calf and she has always been an excellent mother.

"Indiana was born on 1st October. White Rhinos have been an integral part of the Conservation programmes at the zoo for 18 years now and the breeding of this critically endangered species in captivity is one vital way of securing its future when in the wild its numbers are so massively vulnerable to poachers.

"We have two other female Rhinos pregnant at this time and another is due to calve within the next month or two. This is the result of long term specialist management of our herd, a strong commitment to this programme and excellent facilities for this species.

"The secret to our success lies in the fact we keep two adult bulls constantly with the female cows thus placing a positive stimulus for the males and the females alike. My favourite animal has always been the rhino and I personally am so very proud to have made the opportunity and put in place the management to produce 4 calves and with more to come.

"It is a wonderful achievement and one I can have so many fond memories of."