Lincoln Park Zoo Announces Critically Endangered Eastern Black Rhinoceros Pregnancy

CHICAGO (September 22, 2025) – Lincoln Park Zoo is celebrating World Rhino Day in a big way today with the announcement that female eastern black rhinoceros Kapuki (ka-poo-kee) is pregnant! The calf is due in early spring 2026.

This calf will be 20-year-old Kapuki’s third birth at Lincoln Park Zoo, and her first with 21-year-old male Utenzi (oo-ten-zee). The pregnancy was confirmed via hormone analysis using noninvasive collection of fecal samples. The gestation period for eastern black rhinoceroses is typically 16 months and females only give birth to one calf at a time.

“Every birth matters to this critically endangered species, and we’re proud to play a role in growing the eastern black rhinoceros population,” said Curator Cassy Kutilek. “Kapuki is an experienced mother successfully raising King and Romeo and we’re looking forward to seeing her in this maternal role again soon.”

This pregnancy is part of the Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan (SSP), 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 5,000 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.

The calf will make for four rhinoceroses at Regenstein African Journey; along with Mom and Dad, there is also female Lulu. While newborns can stand on their own within a few hours of birth, they still rely on their mother for food for another 1-2 years. Eastern black rhinos weigh around 85 pounds at birth and can get to be as big as 3,000 pounds in adulthood, standing up to 12 feet long and 5 feet tall at the shoulder.

Friends of the zoo can celebrate World Rhino Day and Kapuki’s pregnancy announcement by visiting Lincoln Park Zoo’s Wish List and contributing to the rhinos’ daily dose of fresh leafy plants or symbolically Adopting an Animal.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.