Zoofari Parks Celebrates Historic Second-Generation Rhino Birth at Gulf Breeze Zoo
The Gulf Breeze Zoo is celebrating a milestone that marks a new chapter in rhino conservation. Zoofari Parks, LLC announced the birth of Kipenzi, a southern white rhinoceros calf born July 24. Her arrival represents the first second-generation rhino birth within Zoofari Parks’ growing conservation and breeding program, and the third calf ever born at the Gulf Breeze Zoo.
Kipenzi’s mother, Khaleesi, was born at the Virginia Safari Park in 2015 and is the daughter of a female rhino imported directly from South Africa. With this lineage, Kipenzi embodies the long-term success of Zoofari Parks’ commitment to expanding genetic diversity in the United States’ white rhino population.
A rhino pregnancy lasts about 16 months, which slows recovery for a species that once hovered on the brink of extinction. Fewer than 100 southern white rhinos remained in the wild at the start of the 20th century. Conservation programs around the world helped restore the population to roughly 16,800 today across 11 African countries, though poaching remains an urgent threat.
“Kipenzi is sassy, spunky and very curious. She loves her mud wallows, morning zoomies and running with her mom,” said Adrianne Leopard, Gulf Breeze Zoo general curator. “Rhino calves typically weigh between 80 and 140 pounds at birth and Kipenzi already weighs more than 200 pounds. Khaleesi is a phenomenal first-time mom and it’s truly an honor to be part of this journey.”
Zoofari Parks’ conservation work includes two major importations of young white rhinos from South Africa and Namibia, efforts that have strengthened the gene pool of the U.S. population. With Kipenzi’s birth, Zoofari Parks has now welcomed 12 calves, with several females expecting calves in 2026. Thriving herds can be found at the Gulf Breeze Zoo, Virginia Safari Park and Texas Zoofari Park.
Kipenzi’s grandmother, Kya, remains an anchor of the program. “I watched Kya deliver Khaleesi and saw her first steps,” said Sarah Friedel, director of the Virginia Safari Park. “With Khaleesi becoming a mother at the Gulf Breeze Zoo, Kya’s legacy is the success of Zoofari Parks’ conservation vision.”
Visitors can learn more about Kya’s impact and the Virginia Safari Park’s rhino conservation work in the Virginia Rhino Legacy feature on the park’s website.
Zoofari Parks also supports rhino conservation in the wild. Through ongoing donations to the International Rhino Foundation, the organization helps fund habitat protection, anti-poaching programs and community partnerships in Africa and Asia.
Guests can see Kipenzi and the rest of the white rhino herd from both the safari train and the boardwalk during their next visit to the Gulf Breeze Zoo