Cleveland Zoo needs public’s help to name new rhino calf

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed an endangered Eastern black rhino calf to its herd last month, and now, it’s recruiting the public to help name it. 

The calf was born Sept. 13 to mom, Kibibbi. The zoo said the baby is already “stealing the hearts” of its animal care team, and it has been bonding with its mom well. 

The zoo said it selected names based on how culturally significant they are to communities in the Eastern black rhinos’ wild habitat. The naming contest ends Oct. 15, and the zoo will make the announcement on social media shortly after.

Here are the names to pick from:

• Makena — means “happy one”
• Kenza — means “treasure”
• Kamari — means “like the moon”

People can cast their votes now by clicking here. The name selection also comes with a donation, which the zoo said will directly go toward its conservation efforts. 

Eastern black rhinos are critically endangered, according to the World Wildlife Fund. It states that European hunters and settlers drove the decline of the populations in the 20th century. Between 1960 and 1995, the population of black rhinos dropped by 98%, according to the WWF. 

The Cleveland Zoo said there are fewer than 583 adults remaining, which it said makes the addition all the more special.