At the Oregon Zoo, birthdays are a significant event, made even more so if the birthday boy weights a substantial half ton, like the zoo’s newest rhino calf.
On Wednesday, the male black rhino calf is enjoying his first birthday. Tamu was born on December 4, 2023, to Jozi and King. Don’t let Tamu’s youth deceive you, either; he weighs over a thousand pounds.
Tamu is just under half as big as his mother, who weighs 2,400 pounds, at a massive 1,040 pounds. He weighs around the same as a typical adult horse or a concert grand piano. The person who holds the world record for the highest weight lifted by a human could carry five tamus and rock them to sleep if they went to the Oregon Zoo.
According to a news release from Kelly Gomez, who is in charge of the zoo’s Africa section, “He’s the only 1-year-old I know who weighs half a ton.” We’re ecstatic about his development and growth.
Tamu weighed just about 100 pounds at birth, which is the typical weight of a newborn rhino. He was over 250 pounds by the time the zoo revealed his gender and name in February (Tamu means sweet in Swahili).
Even though Tamu weighs a lot and will continue to gain weight, he is still only a toddler. As is typical for the first few years of a rhino calf’s life, he spends the most of his time with his mother, Jozi.
Tamu’s parents both belong to the eastern subspecies of black rhinoceros, which is extremely endangered. The black rhino is seriously threatened by rhino horn poaching, and the western subspecies was already deemed extinct in 2011.
Therefore, Tamu’s first birthday is a source of optimism for his entire species, not just a day to rejoice for The Oregon Zoo.
According to Gomez, it is hoped that Tamu’s story would serve as motivation for a new phase of their conservation.
Veronica Nocera writes on culture and life. She can be contacted at 503-221-8111, [email protected].
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
