Veterinarians at Michigan State University are working to bring a uncommon pregnant black rhino to full terminal figure for her due day of the month in late - December .
Doppsee first became a resident of the Potter Park Zoo in 2011 and has since been a all-important part of theSpecies Survival Planworking to insure certain critical species in zoos and aquarium around the US thrive and live on . And the survival of one fatal rhino ’s calf could be critical to some of the last live individual of the coinage .
pitch-black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis ) are list as critically endanger on theIUCN Red List . Though groundless population are increasing throughout their native land of southeastern Africa , populations are just a fraction of what they once were . Between 1960 and 1995 , populations drop by 98 per centum to less than 2,500 individuals mainly due to human activities , harmonize to theWorld Wildlife Fund . Conservation efforts across the continent have helped increase their populations and today researchers believe there are more than 5,000 person in the wild .
The genetic science of Doppsee and her young are critical to the survival of captive bleak rhino around the world . That ’s why her mating with a nine - year - one-time male from Texas appoint Phineus was so exciting to her caretakers .
“ Before breed between Phineus and Doppsee even begin , zoo stave and the veterinarians worked diligently to ensure it would be secure for all creature and people involved , ” said director of Potter Park Zoo Cynthia Wagner in astatement . “ The zoo biotic community as a whole has been working together to understand the reproduction and reproductive memory process of rhinos . Potter Park Zoo is very golden to foster an environment where we could introduce , monitor lizard , and mate Doppsee and Phineus . ”
And Doppsee is no ordinary rhino , according to her caretakers . She has a personality and attitude that makes her gestation amicable for her team of veterinarians .
“ She is n’t like most rhinoceros . Just by using her favorite foods and dainty , we ’ve been able to train Doppsee for abdominal and rectal ultrasounds , blood draw poker and exams , ” said the park ’s director of animal health , Ronan Eustace .
When Doppsee make her weekly sonography , she enters a chute with a backdoor that closes . The front door remains open so that she has the pick to leave whenever she wants while veterinarians sour behind her . Because of her good - nature – and positive reinforcement therapy – she has been concerted throughout the intact process and rarely leaves during her received function .
Black rhinos can matter more than 1,360 kilograms ( 3,000 pounds ) and have a gestation period of about 15 month , according to theRhino Resource Center .
