Ulemule is a very successful breeder and I am told her name reflects her attractiveness - like Huba-Huba! Her daughter in this photo is Serina. Ulemule is about to give birth again - usually a month or so before birth the cow will look a bit light in weight over the top and looking at her now she is big in the belly but boney on top. Stay tuned......

Ulemule's older daughter, six year old Sinikwe, had her first calf about October 2007 and it was first sighted by the monitors on 3 January, the day both these photos were taken. Not a great view of the new calf as new mother Sinikwe was very protective.

If a cow gives birth at six years it is a good indication that the breeding population is healthy. In overstocked populations cows may not produce their first calf until they are 8-10 years old. Gestation for a black rhino is 15 months and 16 months for a white rhino. In healthy breeding herds the average time between calves is two and a half years although some breeding cows can reproduce again in 26 months.

Thanks to everyone involved with rhinos at Bubiana in the south east Lowveld of Zimbabwe for this information. Your assistance is much appreciated. To learn more visit http://www.rhino-sadc.org/