Welcome, Ozzy: Safari West Celebrates the Birth of a White Rhino Calf
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Update: Ozzy is 6 weeks old!
Time flies when you’re a baby rhino! Ozzy is already six weeks old and ready to take on the world.
“While Ozzy is slowly becoming more independent, he still doesn’t venture too far from mom and follows her cues. Ozzy is very curious about his caretakers and enjoys coming up to say hello and greatly enjoys receiving belly scratches. The keepers have started working with him to get kiss prints and he is quickly following in the footsteps of his older brother, Otto, with his artistic abilities. He has started exploring the wallow with his feet, but we have yet to see him fully take a roll in the mud.
We provide our animals with choice and control over where they go in their habitats, if they are visible to guests on tour and if they want to interact during animal encounters; while we can’t guarantee anything, if Eesha is comfortable with it (as determined by her caretakers), guests may be able to say hi to Ozzy during our rhino encounters. These up close and personal experiences really allow our guests to appreciate these incredible creatures and we hope through these interactions, our rhinos inspire them to support conservation of rhinos in the wild.”
~Rhino Keeper Erika Defer
We can’t wait to see Ozzy’s personality continue to develop as he gets older. Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest cute videos and pictures!
Update: Ozzy is 2 weeks old!
Ozzy has been extremely active, zooming back and forth in the habitat he shares with his mother, Eesha. In between bursts of energy, he’s either nursing or napping in the big pile of grass hay that his mom enjoys for breakfast or dinner. Ozzy has been curiously watching Eesha as she eats and even trying some of her solid foods—it will be a few months before he starts eating solids, but his keepers have enjoyed watching him experiment by picking up a few pellets, only to spit them out again.
Eesha seems very relaxed this time around, and our rhino keeper team has been able to work on weighing him much earlier than usual. Ozzy successfully placed his front two feet on the scale, and it read 116 pounds! He likely weighs a little more than this, but that’s already a healthy weight for a two-week-old white rhino.
Ozzy the rhino at 15 days old!
A new life begins as the world says goodbye—Otto becomes a big brother.
Safari West is honored to announce the birth of Ozzy, a healthy male southern white rhinoceros calf, born early Tuesday morning, July 22. In a poignant reflection of the circle of life, Ozzy arrived on the very same day the world lost music icon Ozzy Osbourne. The timing of this birth adds symbolic weight to an already joyful milestone in Safari West’s ongoing conservation journey.
This healthy male calf is the younger sibling of Otto, born at Safari West on April 2, 2023, who now steps into the role of big brother. His mother, Eesha, a 20-year-old southern white rhino, is doing well and bonding closely with her newborn under the attentive care of the Safari West animal team.
The calf’s sire is Ongava, a 29-year-old southern white rhinoceros who resides at Safari West through a long-standing loan agreement with The Indianapolis Zoo, which retains ownership of both Ongava and the newborn calf. Under this collaborative breeding partnership, Safari West and the Indianapolis Zoo share stewardship of the offspring.
“This is a joyful moment for Safari West and a powerful reminder of our role in conservation,” said Dr. Nancy Lang, Safari West’s founder and conservation director. “Every rhino birth inspires hope and underscores the importance of protecting these extraordinary animals. We’re honored to care for this calf and grateful for the collaborative partnership that made this birth possible.”
A Glimpse Into the Rhino Yard
Visitors to Safari West may soon have the opportunity to view the new calf, as the team continues to prioritize his comfort and well-being during these early days.
The calf is expected to stay with Eesha for up to two years while nursing and learning from mom. In Otto’s case, weaning occurred a bit earlier, so the animal care team will monitor closely and adjust as needed.
The calf has been named Ozzy, a respectful nod to the late music icon Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on the same day the calf was born. While known for his bold persona, Osbourne remains a symbol of cultural legacy and endurance—qualities we celebrate with the arrival of this new life. The timing of the birth offers a quiet reminder of the circle of life that unfolds across generations and species.
A Win for Conservation
Southern white rhinos, like those at Safari West, are classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. According to the International Rhino Foundation’s 2024 State of the Rhino report, approximately 17,500 remain in the wild. These animals have survived a century of population swings—rebounding from fewer than 100 individuals in the early 1900s to over 21,000 in 2012. Poaching, however, has once again put the species at risk.
Encouragingly, 2023 marked the first increase in wild white rhino numbers in over a decade, and 2024 saw a further 3.4% rise. While progress is being made, ongoing conservation and anti-poaching efforts remain critical.
“The Indianapolis Zoo celebrates this new southern white rhinoceros calf, which is a win for the global conservation efforts of this amazing animal,” said Dr. Rob Shumaker, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo. “We appreciate the good care given to Ongava and his offspring by Safari West and feel fortunate to be part of this success story.”
“At Safari West, we believe conservation begins with connection,” added Dr. Nancy Lang. “When guests see a rhino calf up close, they feel wonder, empathy, and curiosity—and that’s where real conservation starts. This birth is more than just a moment of joy; it’s part of our long-term commitment to protecting wildlife and inspiring the next generation of stewards.”
About the Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo protects nature and inspires people to care for our world. Located in White River State Park, the Indianapolis Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums as a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden. Learn more at indianapoliszoo.com.
Photo Credit: Mark Pressler
