Taronga Western Plains Zoo Rhinos at Western Plains Zoo

[akasha]

BLACK RHINOS AT DUBBO (2025 Update)

In November 1992 TWPZ received 1.7 Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis minor) from Chete National Park, Zimbabwe. 1.1 died shortly after arriving. 1.0 had died in transit. This left Dubbo with 6 females:

0.1 Musina Pongo (~1983-?)
0.1 Chitundumusere (~1986-?)
0.1 Kalungwizi (~1987-?)
0.1 Dongajumu (~1989-2015)
0.1 Pepe Kalle (~1989-?)
0.1 Utahwedande (~1989-?)

In 1994 Dubbo received 4 bulls from the US:

1.0 Siabuwa (Wild x Wild) ~1988 from Fossil Rim
1.0 Kwanzaa (Brewster x Barley) 29/12/1992-2020 from Milwaukee Zoo
1.0 Ibala (Gundwane x Chirundu) 12/08/1993 from San Diego Zoo
1.0 Mwaniki (247 x 180) 07/08/1980 from San Diego Wild Animal Park (Born Cincinnati) (Eastern subspecies Diceros bicornis michaeli)

Dubbo’s first birth was male Kusamona in 1996. In 2001, Kusamona went from Dubbo to Fossil Rim. He sired 2 calves, both died young. Kusamona died unexpectedly from a venomous snake bite in 2014.

1.0 Kusamona (Siabuwa x Kalungwizi) 25/05/1996-00/05/2014

Several male calves were born from 1996 to 2000.

In 2002 Dubbo produced their first female calf, Bahkita. She has produced four calves. Her daughter Kafara has also produced a calf, making Mesi the third generation born at Dubbo.

As of September 2025, 13.4 Black Rhinos have been born at Dubbo:

1996- Kusamona
1999- Buta Buta (deceased)
2000- Chikundo, Jabari (deceased)
(stillborn)
(deceased)
2002- Bahkita
2003- Induna
2004- Sentwali
2005- Mpzeni
2010- Kufara
2015- Dafari
2017- Mesi, Pampoen
2021- Sabi Star
2023- Matobo
2024- Budhi

Details of deceased calves:

1.0 Buta Buta (Siabuwa x Kalungwizi) 29/04/1999-18/10/2000. Died from twisted bowel.
1.0 Jabari (Siabuwa x Utahwedande) 18/04/2000-25/04/2000. Died from gastrointestinal complications.
1.0 (unk x Musina Pongo) Died when rolled on by mother.
1.0 (unk x Dongajuma) Stillborn.

In December 2003, Kwanzaa went on a holiday to Taronga. This was to give him a chance to relax and hopefully encourage him to breed on return to Dubbo.

In 2007, two males were transferred to Monarto Zoo:

1.0 Induna (Ibala x Pepe Kalle) 05/04/2003
1.0 Sentwali (Siabuwa x Dongajuma) 02/10/2004

In 2008 Dubbo successfully produced the world’s first Black Rhino embryo.

Chikundo died some time between 2019 and 2024.

Bahkita miscarried in 2024.

In 2024, Sentwali returned from Monarto.

In total, Western Plains Zoo has held 27 Black Rhinos. 17 calves have been born, with 11 still living.

6 cows have produced surviving offspring:

Kalungwizi [Kusamona 1996, Buta Buta 1999, Bahkita 2002, Mpzeni 2005]
Pepe Kalle [Chikundo 2000, Induna 2003]
Dongajuma [stillborn, Sentwali 2004]
Bahkita [Kufara 2010, Dafari 2015, Pampoen 2017, Sabi Star 2021]
Kufara 2010 [Mesi 2017, Matobo 2023]
Mesi 2017 [Budhi 2024]

Musina Pongo produced 1 calf which did not survive.
Utahwedande produced 1 calf which did not survive.

As of September 2025, Dubbo Zoo held 10 (6.4) Black Rhino. All of them were born there.

0.1 Bahkita (Siabuwa x Kalungwizi) 22/03/2002
1.0 Sentwali (Siabuwa x Dongajuma) 02/10/2004
1.0 Mpzeni (Kwanzaa x Kalungwizi) 14/02/2005
0.1 Kufara (Ibala x Bahkita) 17/02/2010
1.0 Dafari (unk x Bahkita) 20/04/2015
0.1 Mesi (Kwanzaa* x Kufara) 11/04/2017
1.0 Pampoen (Kwanzaa x Bahkita) 31/10/2017
0.1 Sabi Star (Kwanzaa x Bahkita) 24/02/2021
1.0 Matobo (unk x Kufara) 00/04/2023
1.0 Budhi (Mpenzi x Mesi) 24/08/2024

 

[Zoofan15]

BLACK RHINOS AT DUBBO (2025 Update)

In November 1992 TWPZ received 1.7 Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis minor) from Chete National Park, Zimbabwe. 1.1 died shortly after arriving. 1.0 had died in transit. This left Dubbo with 6 females:

0.1 Musina Pongo (~1983-?)
0.1 Chitundumusere (~1986-?)
0.1 Kalungwizi (~1987-?)
0.1 Dongajumu (~1989-2015)
0.1 Pepe Kalle (~1989-?)
0.1 Utahwedande (~1989-?)

In 1994 Dubbo received 4 bulls from the US:

1.0 Siabuwa (Wild x Wild) ~1988 from Fossil Rim
1.0 Kwanzaa (Brewster x Barley) 29/12/1992-2020 from Milwaukee Zoo
1.0 Ibala (Gundwane x Chirundu) 12/08/1993 from San Diego Zoo
1.0 Mwaniki (247 x 180) 07/08/1980 from San Diego Wild Animal Park (Born Cincinnati) (Eastern subspecies Diceros bicornis michaeli)

Dubbo’s first birth was male Kusamona in 1996. In 2001, Kusamona went from Dubbo to Fossil Rim. He sired 2 calves, both died young. Kusamona died unexpectedly from a venomous snake bite in 2014.

1.0 Kusamona (Siabuwa x Kalungwizi) 25/05/1996-00/05/2014

Several male calves were born from 1996 to 2000.

In 2002 Dubbo produced their first female calf, Bahkita. She has produced four calves. Her daughter Kafara has also produced a calf, making Mesi the third generation born at Dubbo.

As of September 2025, 13.4 Black Rhinos have been born at Dubbo:

1996- Kusamona
1999- Buta Buta (deceased)
2000- Chikundo, Jabari (deceased)
(stillborn)
(deceased)
2002- Bahkita
2003- Induna
2004- Sentwali
2005- Mpzeni
2010- Kufara
2015- Dafari
2017- Mesi, Pampoen
2021- Sabi Star
2023- Matobo
2024- Budhi

Details of deceased calves:

1.0 Buta Buta (Siabuwa x Kalungwizi) 29/04/1999-18/10/2000. Died from twisted bowel.
1.0 Jabari (Siabuwa x Utahwedande) 18/04/2000-25/04/2000. Died from gastrointestinal complications.
1.0 (unk x Musina Pongo) Died when rolled on by mother.
1.0 (unk x Dongajuma) Stillborn.

In December 2003, Kwanzaa went on a holiday to Taronga. This was to give him a chance to relax and hopefully encourage him to breed on return to Dubbo.

In 2007, two males were transferred to Monarto Zoo:

1.0 Induna (Ibala x Pepe Kalle) 05/04/2003
1.0 Sentwali (Siabuwa x Dongajuma) 02/10/2004

In 2008 Dubbo successfully produced the world’s first Black Rhino embryo.

Chikundo died some time between 2019 and 2024.

Bahkita miscarried in 2024.

In 2024, Sentwali returned from Monarto.

In total, Western Plains Zoo has held 27 Black Rhinos. 17 calves have been born, with 11 still living.

6 cows have produced surviving offspring:

Kalungwizi [Kusamona 1996, Buta Buta 1999, Bahkita 2002, Mpzeni 2005]
Pepe Kalle [Chikundo 2000, Induna 2003]
Dongajuma [stillborn, Sentwali 2004]
Bahkita [Kufara 2010, Dafari 2015, Pampoen 2017, Sabi Star 2021]
Kufara 2010 [Mesi 2017, Matobo 2023]
Mesi 2017 [Budhi 2024]

Musina Pongo produced 1 calf which did not survive.
Utahwedande produced 1 calf which did not survive.

As of September 2025, Dubbo Zoo held 10 (6.4) Black Rhino. All of them were born there.

0.1 Bahkita (Siabuwa x Kalungwizi) 22/03/2002
1.0 Sentwali (Siabuwa x Dongajuma) 02/10/2004
1.0 Mpzeni (Kwanzaa x Kalungwizi) 14/02/2005
0.1 Kufara (Ibala x Bahkita) 17/02/2010
1.0 Dafari (unk x Bahkita) 20/04/2015
0.1 Mesi (Kwanzaa* x Kufara) 11/04/2017
1.0 Pampoen (Kwanzaa x Bahkita) 31/10/2017
0.1 Sabi Star (Kwanzaa x Bahkita) 24/02/2021
1.0 Matobo (unk x Kufara) 00/04/2023
1.0 Budhi (Mpenzi x Mesi) 24/08/2024

Thanks for the update.

Matabo (2023) was separated from his mother earlier this year (as of March he was cohabiting with Sabi Star), which I suspect was to facilitate a breeding introduction between his mother Kufara (2010) and Sentwali (2004), who arrived onsite last year. Fingers crossed for another calf from Kufara in 2026.

Bakhita (2002) miscarried her last calf; but although she’s past her reproductive prime, we can’t discount the possibility she’ll breed again unless there’s health issues we’re unaware of. Otherwise, it’ll be down to Kufara and Mesi, once the latter has been separated from her 13 month old calf.

Long term, I anticipate one of Dubbo’s cows will transfer to Monarto; but suspect they have enough on their plate with elephants for the foreseeable. Dubbo have 31 yards, so aren’t pushed for space by any means.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Thanks for the update.

Matabo (2023) was separated from his mother earlier this year (as of March he was cohabiting with Sabi Star), which I suspect was to facilitate a breeding introduction between his mother Kufara (2010) and Sentwali (2004), who arrived onsite last year. Fingers crossed for another calf from Kufara in 2026.

Bakhita (2002) miscarried her last calf; but although she’s past her reproductive prime, we can’t discount the possibility she’ll breed again unless there’s health issues we’re unaware of. Otherwise, it’ll be down to Kufara and Mesi, once the latter has been separated from her 13 month old calf.

Long term, I anticipate one of Dubbo’s cows will transfer to Monarto; but suspect they have enough on their plate with elephants for the foreseeable. Dubbo have 31 yards, so aren’t pushed for space by any means.

Short term: I suspect the core breeding group will NOW come to center around FF Kufara and Mesi now. Bakhita - despite the recent miscarriage - is quite definitely still a likely prospect for the conservation breeding program. Further down, I suspect and/or rather hope curatorial management has decided upon adding F Sabi Star into the mix (she is 4-years old and as such already sexually mature and a good reproduction candidate.

Long term: I guess the breeding group will be Kufara, Mesi and perhaps Sabi Star (allthough a part of me wishes that Monarto get 2 and not 1 breeding cow for their remaining bull on site. BTW/NOTA BENE: I do not advocate for Bakhita to be sent over given her age.... and the new bull is only related on the sire side (Siabuwa) and better yet they have Mpenzi (unrelated to FF at Dubbo and surprised he has not be tested ... as yet) at hand as well.


OTHER ISSUES:
I. Why has the sire for M bull b. 2015 Dafari not yet cleared up (soul be a relatively simple task/project to elucidate as well as very important to the long term e situ conservation breeding program in Australia)?
II. Further, I keep on keeping on my plea and advice for management that they really need to re-connect with US IRF program side and acquire 1-2 new bulls given they have 4 breeding cows right now.
III. The rumored import ex South Africa or Eswatini: Come clean and make this import a priority ... even if it is through 3-rd party country / halfway house arrangement...

 

[Zorro]

Short term: I suspect the core breeding group will NOW come to center around FF Kufara and Mesi now. Bakhita - despite the recent miscarriage - is quite definitely still a likely prospect for the conservation breeding program. Further down, I suspect and/or rather hope curatorial management has decided upon adding F Sabi Star into the mix (she is 4-years old and as such already sexually mature and a good reproduction candidate.

Long term: I guess the breeding group will be Kufara, Mesi and perhaps Sabi Star (allthough a part of me wishes that Monarto get 2 and not 1 breeding cow for their remaining bull on site. BTW/NOTA BENE: I do not advocate for Bakhita to be sent over given her age.... and the new bull is only related on the sire side (Siabuwa) and better yet they have Mpenzi (unrelated to FF at Dubbo and surprised he has not be tested ... as yet) at hand as well.


OTHER ISSUES:
I. Why has the sire for M bull b. 2015 Dafari not yet cleared up (soul be a relatively simple task/project to elucidate as well as very important to the long term e situ conservation breeding program in Australia)?
II. Further, I keep on keeping on my plea and advice for management that they really need to re-connect with US IRF program side and acquire 1-2 new bulls given they have 4 breeding cows right now.
III. The rumored import ex South Africa or Eswatini: Come clean and make this import a priority ... even if it is through 3-rd party country / halfway house arrangement...

Referring to the last part of your post I believe some (parts) in the line of management are out of their depth hence the lack of forward thinking and lack of action!
Thank you @akasha for the new update!

 

[Zoofan15]

Short term: I suspect the core breeding group will NOW come to center around FF Kufara and Mesi now. Bakhita - despite the recent miscarriage - is quite definitely still a likely prospect for the conservation breeding program. Further down, I suspect and/or rather hope curatorial management has decided upon adding F Sabi Star into the mix (she is 4-years old and as such already sexually mature and a good reproduction candidate.

Long term: I guess the breeding group will be Kufara, Mesi and perhaps Sabi Star (allthough a part of me wishes that Monarto get 2 and not 1 breeding cow for their remaining bull on site. BTW/NOTA BENE: I do not advocate for Bakhita to be sent over given her age.... and the new bull is only related on the sire side (Siabuwa) and better yet they have Mpenzi (unrelated to FF at Dubbo and surprised he has not be tested ... as yet) at hand as well.


OTHER ISSUES:
I. Why has the sire for M bull b. 2015 Dafari not yet cleared up (soul be a relatively simple task/project to elucidate as well as very important to the long term e situ conservation breeding program in Australia)?
II. Further, I keep on keeping on my plea and advice for management that they really need to re-connect with US IRF program side and acquire 1-2 new bulls given they have 4 breeding cows right now.
III. The rumored import ex South Africa or Eswatini: Come clean and make this import a priority ... even if it is through 3-rd party country / halfway house arrangement...

I anticipate Sabi Star will enter the breeding programme in the next couple of years. The recommendation for female white rhinoceros in the region is that females are given the opportunity to breed upon reaching sexual maturity; and this advice appears to be the same for black rhinoceros, as evidenced by the ages of Bakhita, Kufara and Mesi upon the birth of their respective first calves.

It would be ideal for Monarto to receive a proven breeding cow due to their inexperience with this species (and the fact their bull is not proven either). However despite being an excellent genetic match for Induna, I agree Bakhita likely wouldn’t be recommended now due to her age.

It’s my assumption that the sire of Dafari is now known by the zoo; but since it hasn’t been confirmed publicly, it hasn’t been noted in the population thread.