WE all sometimes receive unexpected deliveries – but not many of them come in the form of a baby rhino.

But that’s exactly what happened at the Cotswold Wildlife Park this week when white rhino, Nancy, gave birth to her second calf. Although keepers knew Nancy was pregnant, the birth came as a bit of a surprise and a little earlier than expected.

Births in captivity are considered extremely rare, with only 14 white rhinos born in European zoos in the last 12 months – two at the Cotswold Wildlife Park.

The new addition is the sixth member to join the ‘crash’ of rhinos at the facility.

Curator Jamie Craig said: “After almost 40 years of desperately trying to breed from our old group of rhinos with no success, we are delighted to now have had three calves since 2013.

“The newest member of the crash was somewhat more of a surprise than we’d like, but at present, all seems to be going well.”

It’s been a remarkable few years for the rhino family.

In 2013, first-time parents Monty and Nancy delighted staff and visitors when they produced the first calf in the park’s 43-year history – a female named Astrid. Two years later, she has been joined by a baby brother, who is yet to be named.

To add to the celebrations, earlier this year, another of the park’s breeding females, Ruby, gave birth to a male calf named Ian.

Reggie Heyworth, managing director of Cotswold Wildlife Park, added: “You wait 40 years, then it seems like three come along at once.

“This is such a happy event for the park, and I have to pinch myself when I see six rhinos on the lawn.”

Females only reproduce every two-and-a-half to five years, so the window of opportunity for successful reproduction is limited. After a gestation period of 16 to 18 months, a single calf is born.

The newborn calf will stand up within one hour of birth and immediately attempt to suckle, although may be a little unsteady on his feet for the first few days.

He will remain under the watchful eye of his mother, suckling from her for approximately a year.

Visitors can meet the new arrival from 10am to 6pm each day.

For more information visit www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk