A critically endangered Eastern black rhino calf was born Saturday, Sept. 13 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo—a milestone that comes just in time for World Rhino Day, an international day of rhino awareness celebrated every September 22.

Born to 22-year-old mother Kibibbi and 25-year-old father Forrest, the male calf is bonding behind the scenes with mom and is not yet on public view.

Guests are encouraged to follow the zoo’s social media channels for an opportunity to help name the calf in support of rhino conservation and to learn when the calf will make his public debut at the zoo’s Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve.

“Every birth is significant and is an opportunity to bring awareness to the conservation issues faced by this species,” says Metroparks Zoo executive director Dr. Chris Kuhar. “It’s especially meaningful to share this calf’s arrival on World Rhino Day, a time when we celebrate rhinos worldwide and highlight the urgent need to protect them. We are excited to share this milestone with our community, whose support makes global conservation possible.”

Eastern black rhinos are critically endangered, with fewer than 583 adults remaining in the wild. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has a long history of caring for this species, working alongside global conservation partners to secure a future for rhinos in the wild.