A Czech zoo has named their latest addition, a critically endangered eastern black rhinoceros, after Ukraine’s capital Kyiv in honor of their resistance to invading Russian forces.
The rhino was born on March 4 in the Dvur Kralove Zoo, a rare occurrence for the facility even though it has the most rhinos belonging to the subspecies.
According to AP the zoo’s director, Premysl Rabas, said, “The name is another expression of our support for the Ukrainian heroes.”
Poaching has reduced the number of eastern black rhinos living in the wild to around 800. The Czech park has 14.
Since being born, Kyiv has been the object of a great deal of media interest.
12denní nosorožec Kyjev se dnes p?edstavil médiím. A byl o n?j obrovský zájem!Aby ne, vždy? je jedním ze ?ty? mlá?at tohoto druhu, která se za poslední rok narodila na celém sv?t? v lidské pé?i.
— Safari Park Dv?r Králové (@zoodvurkralove) March 16, 2022
Kyjev prospívá, aktuáln? váží kolem p?l metráku. Brzy se podívá do venkovního výb?hu. pic.twitter.com/2zIpkqh4DY
Kyiv’s mother Eva is a proud mom and has been taking extremely good care of her baby. Our heartiest congrats mum Eva!
Dnes ve dv? ráno - týden od za?átku ruské invaze na Ukrajinu - se samici Ev? narodilo 47. mlád? v historii chovu nosorožc? dvourohých východních ve Dvo?e Králové. ????
— Safari Park Dv?r Králové (@zoodvurkralove) March 4, 2022
Malý samec je pravideln? pije. Na po?est ukrajinských hrdin? dostal jméno Kyjev.https://t.co/XI5yUiBFi4 pic.twitter.com/kBX57Kj90u
