Here's an update on Eastern Black Rhinoceros mother and calf being kept at Ueno Zoo.

It's already been a year and seven months since the birth of the female pup, Mimika (the news of her birth was...). Here).

-Tokyo Zoo Net BB videos "Mimika, Eastern Black Rhinoceros, is doing well."

Mimika had always been with her mother, Argo, but in preparation for the day they would be separated, she began practicing on November 9, 2010.

In the mornings, the enclosure is divided, with the father, Maro, on one side and Argo and his offspring, Mimika, on the other. In the afternoons, Maro is moved indoors, and both sides of the enclosure are opened up, allowing the family to have more space. This expands their range of movement and creates periods where they cannot see each other due to the central wall, allowing Mimika to gradually get used to being alone.

When Mimika first started training, she seemed restless because of Maro's scent in the mornings, but after a month she got used to it and started to act independently, going down to the moat and running around, with her mother Argo quietly watching over her more often. However, for now the two still mostly eat and rest together in almost the same place, and nursing is seen occasionally, so it seems Mimika is still very attached to her mother.

As we began practicing, Argo's attitude towards Mimika began to change. Previously, when entering the room, they would wait side-by-side in front of the door, but recently Argo has been preventing Mimika from coming to the door, and if Mimika tries to go forward, he will squawk loudly and chase her away. I don't know if he's trying to establish a hierarchy or not, but it's a sight I've never seen before.

I plan to observe how the two animals change going forward and then decide on the day to separate them.

Photo above: Argo (left) and Mimika recently
Photo below: View of the enclosure

[Kazumi Tada, Animal Care and Exhibition Staff, Ueno Zoo, Ueno West Garden]

(December 17, 2010)