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Baby black rhino takes first steps [VIDEO]

The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago welcomed a rare black rhino calf on August 26, the first born at the zoo since 1989.

By GABRIELLE LEVY, UPI.com
A black rhino calf was born Aug. 26, 2013 at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago to 8-year-old Kapuki (pictured) and 27-year-old Maku. Fewer than 5,100 of the species exist in the wild. (Lincoln Park Zoo)
1 of 2 | A black rhino calf was born Aug. 26, 2013 at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago to 8-year-old Kapuki (pictured) and 27-year-old Maku. Fewer than 5,100 of the species exist in the wild. (Lincoln Park Zoo)

The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago welcomed a bouncing baby black rhino last week, the first of the critically endangered animal to be born at the zoo in nearly 25 years.

The 60-pound male calf was born August 26 to eight-year-old Kapuki, a first-time mom, and 27-year-old Maku.

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The calf and mother are doing "wonderfully," said curator of mammals Mark Kamhout.

There are just 5,055 black rhinos living in the wild, making the species critically endangered. Rhinos are territorial and solitary creatures, meaning they only tolerate coming together for brief periods for breeding.

Zookeepers carefully studied Kapuki, analyzing her fecal samples to determine the best time to introduce her to Maku.

Now, after more than a year in gestation, the not-so-tiny tot is healthy and bonding with his mother. He'll be kept behind the scenes at the zoo for a few weeks, but will soon make his public debut.

In the meantime, enjoy watching the new rhino calf wobble around his new home.

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