Rhino siblings Markus and Mo turned one with carrot cakes
The calves, born at Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford, have grown from about 70 kilograms to about 500 kilograms each. The park now has nine rhinos, the most in its 56 years.
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White rhino calves Markus and Mo turned one at Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford, with cakes of soaked pellets, carrots, and salad leaves. BBC News reported the birthday on November 1, 2026. The pair were born at the park last year. Each weighed about 70 kilograms at birth and now weighs about 500 kilograms.
Their arrival took the park's rhinos to nine, the most in its 56-year history. The park said white rhinos were close to extinction in the early 1900s, with fewer than 50 thought to remain in Africa, and that they are now the most numerous of the five rhino species. It also said conservation is still vital. The report is the birthday, the weights, and that history in a sentence. It does not give a current wild population, and it does not say the calves will be moved to Africa.
For the classroom
Two white rhino calves named Markus and Mo turned one at Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford in England. BBC News reported it on November 1, 2026. Keepers gave them cakes of soaked pellets, carrots, and salad leaves. They were born at the park last year. Each weighed about 70 kilograms then and about 500 kilograms now. The park has nine rhinos, the most in 56 years. White rhinos were close to disappearing in the early 1900s, when fewer than 50 were thought to remain in Africa. They are now the most numerous rhino species. The park says protection is still needed. This birthday is not a wild count.
- What does a jump from 70 kilograms to 500 kilograms tell you about a rhino's first year?
- Why can a zoo birthday still matter for an animal that lives far away in the wild?
For a teacher to read with a class. Print the story of the day · Morning announcements · All classroom stories · This week's Good News Friday pack
Burford, United KingdomZoosWildlife conservationGood news on November 1
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