ISTANBUL

Tama Zoological Park in western Tokyo has announced the birth of an endangered Indian rhinoceros, marking the first such birth at the facility in half a century.

The one-horned rhinoceros, born in early September, is reported to be healthy along with its mother. "This is the first time in 50 years that the zoo has bred an Indian rhinoceros since Rhino Taro was born in December 1973,” zoo said in a written statement.

"Both mother and baby are healthy and calm," it added, noting the pair will be kept indoors and away from public view for the time being.

Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List since 2018, the Indian rhino population has rebounded from near-extinction levels of around 200 in the early 20th century.

This birth in Japan represents a significant conservation milestone for the species, which once roamed widely across northern India but saw its numbers plummet due to hunting and habitat loss.