Lincoln Park Zoo Critically Endangered Rhino Is Pregnant

CHICAGO — A critically endangered rhinoceros at Lincoln Park zoo is now pregnant, the zoo announced Thursday. Kapuki, a 13-year-old eastern black rhinoceros, is expected to deliver a calf in May at Regenstein African Journey.

“The potential of a successful calf means much more than a cute face at the zoo," said Mike Murray, the zoo's curator of mammals. "A birth represents preservation of a critically endangered species that faces a lot of challenges."

“We remain cautiously optimistic that Kapuki, as an experienced dam, will know just what to do.”

The pregnancy is a result of a breeding recommendation from the Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan, which cooperatively manages the Association of Zoos and Aquariums population. Kapuki was recommended to breed with a 33-year-old male rhino Maku.

The zoo confirmed the pregnancy using fecal samples collected by Animal Care staff and then processed and analyzed by scientists at the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology at the zoo.

“Measuring hormones from fecal samples we were not only able to confirm pregnancy, but first, were able to understand when Kapuki was ovulating and inform animal care decisions and timelines for introducing Kapuki to the male rhino, Maku,” said Rachel Santymire, the Davee Center's director.

Kapuki and Maku have had success in the past with the birth of King in 2013. King was transferred to Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo in 2016.

In preparation for the arrival of the new calf, the zoo has included some of expectant mother Kapuki’s favorite things, such as apples and hay, on a Wish List. Supporters can assist the zoo in buying a rhino-sized scale in order to weigh the calf as it grows. Those looking to provide care for Kapuki or the calf year round can also ADOPT a rhino online or at the Member Center at Searle Visitor Center.

Typically, black rhinos are a solitary species that only come together to breed. When full grown, eastern black rhinos can stand up to 12 feet long and 5 feet tall at the shoulder, and can weigh up to 3,000 pounds. Eastern black rhinos are a critically endangered species due to poaching for their horns, which are believed to have medicinal benefits despite being made of keratin – the same material that makes up human hair and nails.

Lincoln Park Zoo will be posting regular updates on its Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter channels using #RhinoWatch as well as on the zoo blog, and ZooMail, a biweekly news digest.