Other1 min read

Rhino siblings celebrate first birthday with cake

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Markus and Mo commemorated their milestone with custom cakes made using pellets, carrots, and salad leaves at Cotswold Wildlife Park. The siblings, who both weighed approximately 70 kilograms at birth, now weigh around 500 kilograms each. Their successful first year brought the resident rhino population to nine, the largest group in the park's 56-year history. While white rhinos have recovered to become the most common rhino species, park officials stress that continuous conservation work remains critical.

Key points

  • Cotswold Wildlife Park has achieved the largest rhino population recorded in its 56-year…: Cotswold Wildlife Park has achieved the largest rhino population recorded in its 56-year operational history.
  • White rhino populations have rebounded from fewer than 50 African individuals in the earl…: White rhino populations have rebounded from fewer than 50 African individuals in the early 1900s to lead all species.
  • Dedicated conservation initiatives remain essential to maintain the recovery and protecti…: Dedicated conservation initiatives remain essential to maintain the recovery and protection of the broader rhino population.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

Two rhino calves have celebrated their first birthday with cakes made of pellets, carrots and salad leaves.

Siblings Markus and Mo were born at Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford, last year.

The pair weighed about 70kg (11st) at birth, and now weigh about 500kg (78st) each. Their arrival took the number of rhinos at the park to nine, the most in its 56-year history.

White rhinos were close to extinction in the early 1900s, with fewer than 50 thought to remain in Africa. They are now the most numerous of the five rhino species, but the park says conservation remains vital.

Get in touch

Your Voice

- Published1 November 2025

- Published19 December 2025

Other