Rare Eastern Black Baby Rhino Born At Lincoln Park Zoo

CHICAGO — The Lincoln Park Zoo is celebrating after a critically-endangered eastern black rhinoceros calf was born Sunday. The calf's mother Kapuki was 15 months pregnant, and went into labor on Sunday, the zoo said.

"Kapuki’s maternal instincts kicked right in and she has been seen tending to the calf," the zoo announced on Twitter.

The first 48 hours of the newborn's life are critical, the zoo said. Fortunately, the baby has been nursing and has reached other critical milestones, curators announced.

"#RhinoWatch continues with the first of many important milestones – the calf stood up last night at only 53 minutes of age!," the zoo tweeted.

The animal care and veterinary staff continue to monitor Kapuki and the calf around-the-clock via remote camera system to give the rhinos privacy, the zoo said.