Life is a celebration and it seems that a newborn rhino baby at the Auckland Zoo in New Zealand has already grasped this beautiful aspect of existence. Meet Amali, a Southern white rhinoceros calf, who has been delighting everyone with her adorable antics since her birth. Her mother, Jamila, had already given birth to a baby, Nyah, a couple of years prior, but Amali’s energy and exuberance seem unmatched.
The name ‘Amali’ means ‘hope’ in Swahili, a beautiful name with a profound meaning. It is a reflection of the hope for the future of the species, as the Southern white rhino is currently threatened, with only about 18,000 left on the planet. Tommy Karlsson, the Ungulates team lead, and his colleagues decided on this name with the aspiration that Amali, as an advocate for her wild counterparts, would inspire visitors to care about these incredible animals.
Ungulates are mammals with hooves, a category that includes animals like horses, camels, deer, hippos, and, of course, rhinoceroses. Although Amali is a part of the ungulates family, her behavior is reminiscent of a playful puppy releasing pent-up energy. Dr. Pamela J. Perry explains that dogs often do ‘zoomies’ to release pent-up energy or alleviate stress. It seems that this ‘exploding ball of energy’ gene is abundant in wildlife as well, as exhibited by Amali.
In a video shared by the Auckland Zoo, Amali can be seen joyfully sprinting around an imaginary racetrack, while her mother, Jamila, calmly and nonchalantly chews her food, seemingly unaffected by her baby’s energetic display. It appears that this is a common sight for Jamila, who has probably witnessed such displays of joy a billion times before.
As for Nyah, Amali’s bigger sister, Karlsson expects that the two will become great mates, enjoying playtime, running around, and going into the mud wallow together. This delightful interaction between the two siblings will surely be a sight to behold.
The Auckland Zoo regularly shares updates and photos of their animals on Instagram. Watching the video of Amali zooming around like an excited puppy is a heartwarming experience that will surely bring a smile to your face. Please SHARE this with your friends and family, and let’s spread the joy and hope that Amali brings to the world.
