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Rare black rhino born at Lansing zoo will be named Jaali

Posted at 10:31 AM, Jan 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-09 11:39:55-05

LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — After a naming contest, the rare black rhino born at the Potter Park Zoo last month will be named Jaali.

Prounced "jolly," Jaali means powerful in Swahili.

There are only 54 black rhinos in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, according to zoo officials. There are an estimated 5,000 black rhinos in the wild.

Zoo officials said the species is at risk of extinction because of illegal poaching and habitat loss.

The newborn calf, which is bonding with its mother, Doppsee, won't be seen by the public until the spring. Both animals will be monitored closely over the next few weeks, zoologists said.