What the devil is that?
Spine-chilling screeches, coughs and growls, a black and white coat, red ears, wide red mouth and broad white teeth were frightening enough to give rise to the name Tasmanian ‘Devil’.
Aluka the Southern White Rhinoceros
Aluka the Southern White Rhinoceros
Aluka the female White Rhino is doing tremendously well. She is currently six months through the 16-18 month pregnancy and sharing the exhibit with the other females at Taronga's Western Plains Zoo.
Aluka is one of the five Southern White Rhinoceros that were transported from Kruger National Park in South Africa to add important genetic diversification to the Zoo's herd. Aluka's young will play a significant role in the conservation of this critically endangered species.
At the beginning of the 20th Century, there were no more than 200 Southern White Rhinos left in the world and now after extensive protection and conservation of the species there is estimated to be over 17 000 living in protected populations in countries in Southern Africa.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo plays a significant role in the regionally coordinated breeding program for the Southern White Rhinoceros and is one of the leading institutes in the management of this species with the birth of six calves in since 2003.
Aluka is expected to give birth between September and October 2009.
