So, you won’t believe the latest news from the Oregon Zoo! Remember that adorable eastern black rhinoceros baby born last December? Well, guess what? The zookeepers have finally decided on a name for him – and it’s absolutely precious. They’re calling him Tamu, which means “sweet” in Swahili. Perfect, right?
When Tamu first entered the world, he was just a tiny thing, weighing about 100 pounds. But hold onto your hats because he’s been growing like crazy! He’s now tipping the scales at over 250 pounds. That’s some serious growth spurt!
Apparently, life for little Tamu revolves around two things: eating and sleeping. I mean, who can blame him? Rhinos his age can gain up to five pounds every single day! But here’s the exciting part – he’s also starting to venture outside more and more. Brave little guy, isn’t he?
Chad Harmon, who looks after the rhino area at the zoo, says Tamu’s been getting more curious, poking his head out to explore and even zooming away from his mom, Jozi, from time to time. Of course, he always scampers back to her side eventually.
Now, while Tamu and Jozi mostly hang out in the Africa area, if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of them on a warm, sunny day. Keep your eyes peeled!
But here’s the thing: these rhinos are more than just adorable – they’re critically endangered. In fact, the western species of black rhino was declared extinct in 2011. That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness about their conservation.
Kelley Gomez, who takes care of the Africa area at the zoo, hopes Tamu’s story will inspire people to take action and help protect these amazing animals. Let’s all do our part to ensure a brighter future for Tamu, Jozi, and their kind!
