The calf was born on the 2nd of January this year, becoming the newest member of the heard, along with its mother and father, Nyala and Chaka, as well as its older half-brother, Fionn.

The calf weighed approximately 50 kilos.

"Our team is thrilled to welcome the arrival of another Southern white rhinoceros calf to Dublin Zoo,” said Helen-Clarke Bennett, team leader of the African Plains area of the zoo.

"These animals were on the verge of extinction in the 20th century, and there are only approximately 16,000 of them left in the world today.

"Nyala is a very attentive mother, and it is wonderful to watch the pair develop their amazing bond as the days go on. The calf is cautious and stays quite close to her mother, however, we can already see glimpses of her outgoing personality and look forward to watching her integrate with the herd at Dublin Zoo."

The southern white rhinoceros is vulnerable to ivory poachers, but the birth of the new calf is seen as a ray of light for the European Association for Zoos and Aquaria’s Ex-situ Programme, which seeks to protect endangered species and subspecies around the world, one of which is the southern white rhinoceros. Dublin Zoo is a member of the EAZA programme.