Unexpected new arrival is a zoo first

Keepers at Chester Zoo received a welcome surprise on finding that their Indian rhino Asha had given birth to a calf, the first Indian rhino to ever be born at the zoo.

The zoo has happily welcomed three black rhino calves in under a year and it seems that the Indian rhinos did not want to be left out.

Tim Rowland, curator of mammals at the zoo, said: "Although we had an inkling that our Indian rhino Asha was pregnant, it was just that, an inkling and a hunch that comes with experienced keepers.

"So, it was a rather marvellous surprise to come in and find that Asha had a big bundle of joy of her own."

The new arrival has been named Komala and is already entertaining the keepers. Tim adds: "Komala is a proper little bruiser; she has that fabulous, slightly wrinkled armoured plating look that comes with Indian rhinos.

"This is a breeding first for us but also a bonus for the population of Indian rhinos which are yet another rhino species being put at risk as they are cruelly and brutally poached for their horn."

Image credit: Chester Zoo