Vulnerable rhino calf born at NSW zoo

Greater one-horned rhinos are classified as vulnerable in the wild, with just 3700 of the animals remaining in north eastern India and Nepal.

Keepers discovered the newborn alongside his mum Amala in the early hours of October 17 and named him Hari, which means sun in Nepalese.

"This is Amala's second calf and she slowly bonded with him over the course of the first day," keeper Katharina Pollock said in a statement on Tuesday.

"She is now very protective of him and doesn't like him being too far from her side."

Zoo director Steve Hinks said the birth was a testament to the dedicated team of keepers and veterinary staff who guided the introduction process between Amala and the calf's sire, Dora.

"We have an experienced team who work in rhino conservation and this birth is another achievement for a species under threat," he said.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is the only Zoo in Australia to hold and breed three species of rhino - black rhino, white rhino and greater one-horned rhino.

This birth follows the arrival of female black rhino calf Sabi Star earlier this year.

Amala and her calf are bonding out of public view and will make their public debut within weeks.

Australian Associated Press