Rhino gives birth in Cincinnati

Sumatran rhinos are on the brink of extinction.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- A Sumatran rhinoceros gave birth to a second calf at the Cincinnati Zoo on Friday, becoming the first of the endangered species to produce two offspring while in captivity, zoo officials said.
The rhino, Emi, concluded a pregnancy of almost 16 months with the birth of a female calf at midday. The 14-year-old rhino, on loan from the Indonesian government for breeding programs in the United States, and her as-yet unnamed calf were doing well, zoo spokesman Chad Yelton said.
"This is a historic birth," said Terri Roth, vice president of animal sciences at the Cincinnati Zoo, which is part of an international coalition trying to help the species survive. "Because Sumatran rhinos are on the brink of extinction, this calf serves as a lifeline for a species clinging desperately to survival."
First calf
Emi was the first Sumatran rhino in 112 years to give birth to a calf in captivity when she delivered 72.6-pound Andalas on Sept. 13, 2001. Andalas, who now weighs more than 1,100 pounds, was relocated last year to the Los Angeles Zoo.
With only about 300 Sumatran rhinos known to exist in the wild, they are the most endangered of the five rhino species and among the most endangered mammals in the world. Only eight are in captivity. Emi's breeding partner, Ipuh, is also on loan from Indonesia.
Emi had lost five pregnancies within the first 90 days of gestation before carrying her first full-term calf.
An estimated 70 percent of the Sumatran rhino population has been lost since 1985, mainly to poaching and loss of its tropical habitat in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Veterinarians planned to let Emi and her newborn bond and nurse before attempting to weigh the calf Saturday, Yelton said.
Visitors can see Emi and the baby today on video monitors at the zoo's Center for Conservation & amp; Research of Endangered Wildlife. The zoo also planned to have pictures on its Web site.