30-Oct-09 3:00 PM CST

Chester Zoo Rhino Calf Celebrates His First Birthday With a Tasty Treat

EASTERN Black Rhinoceros calf Asani tucked into his first birthday treat on Thursday.

Asani, who was born to mum Kitani on October 29 last year, celebrated the special occasion with a delicious carrot, beetroot, banana and courgette cake made by his keepers.

The calf, which has doubled in size over the last 12 months, made light work of his tasty treat.

Chas Mackenzie, team leader for the rhino section, said: “All ‘toddlers’ enjoy their first birthday and, although Asani is definitely bigger than your average one year old, he’s no exception when it comes to enjoying his birthday.

“Asani’s name is Swahili for rebellious and he is certainly a proper handful but we’re hoping he behaves like the perfect birthday boy today.”

Asani was the first Black Rhino to be born at the zoo in tenyears and the first newborn for Kitani.

His arrival was even more significant as the Eastern Black Rhinos remains perilously close to extinction in the wild with only 700 animals left.

Asani was joined by another black rhino calf in May this year with the arrival of Bashira, born to mum Ema Elsa.

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