COLCHESTER Zoo may be quieter than usual amid the second national lockdown, but one new arrival has been making the most of the situation.

The Maldon Road attraction welcomed a sixth white rhino calf last month.

Now the calf has been getting to know his surroundings and has been going outside for the first time.

Keepers said the little one, who is yet to be named, is enjoying stretching his legs and having a run in the paddock.

In February the zoo announced its female calf Astrid was expecting and a healthy male was born on October 14.

The new arrival was born after the zoo had closed to the public in the evening.

The animal care team had been viewing Astrid’s behaviour out of hours on a closed circuit camera system for two weeks prior to the birth as they were sure from Astrid’s behaviour the arrival of the calf was getting close.

During the evening, the animal care team noticed another change which indicated Astrid was in labour.

Staff went into the zoo at 9pm to monitor Astrid so they were on hand if any problems arose.

Despite Astrid being a first-time mum at seven-years-old, she took the labour and birth in her stride.

Keepers at the Maldon Road zoo said since the birth, the bond between mother and calf is becoming stronger each day and the young calf is already showing a mischievous character.

Astrid and her calf initially stayed inside before being allowed to explore further.

During the pandemic, the zoo has been hit hard financially after having to close during the two lockdowns and only allow limited numbers of visitors during the summer.

To help raise funds for Colchester Zoo’s operating fund, there will be the opportunity for supporters to vote for their favourite name.

The name which raises the most funds will be chosen.

Chelmsford Weekly News:

Keepers have now narrowed the names down to three options - Tayo, Mosi and Jelani.

A spokesman said: “Not only does your donation give your favourite name a chance of being selected, but by taking part you are also helping to support the zoo during this uncertain time, with all money received through your votes going directly to the Zoo Operating Fund, which helps to care for all of our animals.

“The vote for our white rhino calf will close towards the end of November when all donations are counted and the top name will be announced.”

Born in 2013, mum Astrid arrived at Colchester Zoo in July 2016 and shares her home with the rest of the rhino crash - Otto, Emily, Binta and Lottie as well as the other African species in the mixed paddock.

Astrid can be spotted by a small nick in her left ear which she has had since she was young.

The joy of the young rhino calf comes as zoo director Dominique Tropeano warned the zoo was in “unchartered grounds”.

Throughout the pandemic it has still faced bills of around £25,000 a day.

Supporters helped raise more than £100,000 for the facility’s operating fund, but the zoo says support is needed now more than ever.

He said: “At the end, sadly, everything being achieved comes down to money.

“After the early closure, that ravaged our finances, a small recovery was made with the summer opening but now we are back to being very concerned regarding our ability to survive.

“Should we not be able to re-open our doors early December, it will feel like clouds gathering in a dark winter sky and a storm of gigantic proportion will hit us.

“Its force may prove to be too much and may leave complete devastation behind.”

To find out more about the name vote and donating to the operating fund visit www.colchester-zoo.com.