Critically Endangered Eastern Black Rhinoceros Born at Lincoln Park Zoo

CHICAGO (March 20, 2026) – Sound the horns! Lincoln Park Zoo is excited to welcome a critically endangered eastern black rhinoceros calf. 20-year-old Kapuki gave birth to a female calf at 4:52 a.m. on Thursday, March 19.

Kapuki and the calf are both doing well and are being closely monitored as there are many milestones in these first critical hours and days. The two will remain behind the scenes for several weeks at Regenstein African Journey as the calf grows in size and strength.

The calf is Kapuki’s third offspring at Lincoln Park Zoo and her first with 21-year-old male Utenzi. The pregnancy was confirmed via hormone analysis using noninvasive collection of fecal samples and was first announced back in September 2025.

The calf was born weighing around 60 pounds and took her first steps at 6:30 a.m., just an hour and a half after being born. An eastern black rhinoceros can gain 100 pounds a month when they’re first born, reaching up to 3,000 pounds as adults.

“Kapuki has proven to be such a great mother with her past two calves and we’re seeing her tap right back into her maternal instinct with her new calf,” said Curator Cassy Kutilek. “Mom and calf are doing well and continue to hit their postpartum milestones, and we’re excited for when we’ll start seeing glimmers of the newborn’s personality.”

This birth is part of the Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan, a collaborative population management effort among the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions. This pregnancy is particularly important, as eastern black rhinoceroses are a critically endangered species. Their population numbers dropped 98% between 1960-1995 due to poaching, but preservation efforts in the past 25 years have helped boost numbers and there are now around 1,000 mature individuals in the wild. As part of the AZA Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program, Lincoln Park Zoo works collaboratively with other accredited zoos to protect the eastern black rhinoceros’ population and their habitats in the wild as well.

To celebrate this important birth, Lincoln Park Zoo is offering a limited-edition Adopt an Animal package including mom and baby rhinoceros stuffed animals. Friends of the zoo can also celebrate by visiting Lincoln Park Zoo’s Wish List and contributing to the rhinos’ daily dose of fresh leafy plants.