Black rhino calf makes zoo debut

Hordes of excited kids on school holidays failed to deter a black rhinoceros calf making her public debut at NSW's Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Born on February 17, the calf is the latest addition to the Dubbo zoo's rhino herd, which includes white, black and Indian rhinoceroses.

After weeks of careful monitoring away from public glare at the open range zoo, the 40kg tot was given star treatment on Tuesday.

First-time mum

Zoo staff said parents and children gathered early to catch a glimpse of the calf.

She seems unfazed by the public attention but isn't straying far from first-time mum Bakhita, says zoo spokeswoman Shallon McReaddie.

"She seemed quite relaxed and she's mimicking everything mum does," Ms McReaddie said.

"She'll have a bit of a wallow in the mud and try the food that mum's eating."

Ms McReaddie says the calf is healthy, drinking and eating a lot, but like any newborn gets tired easily.

A public competition is expected to be held to give the calf a name.

Nicknamed Effie

In the meantime, zoo staff have nicknamed her Effie - after F2, a term used to describe first second-generation born calves in breeding programs.

Black rhinos are an endangered species, with only 4,230 estimated to remain in the wild.

Ms Mcreaddie says the calf will stay with her mother at Taronga Western Plains Zoo for at least another two years.

As the only second female black rhino at the zoo, there are hopes she'll eventually play a role in the zoo's international breeding program.

Eleven black rhinos have been produced at Dubbo since the start of the zoo's breeding program in 1991.