Charles Guyard // Photo credit: Martin Bertrand / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 8:23 a.m., February 11, 2024
An exceptional birth in Brittany. That of Sonaï, a small Indian rhino born last December. It was born at the Branféré animal park, in Morbihan, at the end of December. A birth which is extremely rare and the only one in Europe in 2023 for its species classified as vulnerable.
Before entering, it is not the white paw that must be shown, but a wet paw by dipping the shoes in a footbath. Precaution is essential. There is no question of bringing the slightest microbe into this building which houses a particularly rare pearl in Branféré Park, in Morbihan. “This is the first Breton rhino since prehistoric times,” explains Alexandre Petry, zoological director of the park.
Born in December 2023
“At the end of December, we had the chance to welcome a baby Indian rhino. This is really good news because the Indian rhino, unfortunately, is a species that is threatened,” explains the director .
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Sonaï, that's his name, was born here on December 29. Since then, he has followed his mother like her shadow. Mélanie, careful, takes great care of her. "We see him regularly suckling and his average is one kilo, five to two kilos per day. So he still drinks quite a bit. We have the opportunity to weigh him once a week. On Tuesday, he was 112 kilos,” says the caregiver.
A beautiful baby has doubled his weight. since its birth and which the general public can now discover since after its annual closure, the park is reopening its doors this weekend.