The ZooTampa white rhino calf story is already one of the sweetest Tampa news moments of the season. ZooTampa at Lowry Park announced the birth of a female southern white rhino calf named Kelele, who arrived on March 22, 2026, at about 3:30 a.m. According to the zoo, her name means “noise” and “highest peak” in Swahili, a fitting choice after her vocal debut into the world.
Kelele is more than an adorable new face. This baby rhino, this ZooTampa milestone, and this wildlife conservation moment mark the 10th successful birth of the species at the zoo. Officials said the calf was born to her mother, Kidogo, and the pairing with father Mufasa was part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which supports a healthy and genetically diverse population.
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