Rare black rhino calf born at Australian zoo

A rare black rhino calf, a critically endangered species, was born in an Australian zoo late last month.

calf was born February 24 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in New South Wales town of Dubbo, zoo officials said.

Zoo director Steve Hinks said this is fourth calf for its mor Bakhita in six years.

Hinks said birth was globally significant as re were only a few thousand black rhinos left in wild.

"Every birth for this critically endangered species is so important with fewer than 6,000 remaining in wild. So whilst this is incredible news for Taronga Western Plains Zoo, this is also incredibly important news for species as a whole," Hinks said.

calf and its mor were being kept behind scenes at zoo to enable m to bond.