It’s A Girl!
Born: Dec. 22, 2000, 9:56 p.m.
Birthweight: 100 lbs.
Mother’s name: Ella (3,860 lbs.)
Father’s name: Vinu (4,155 lbs.)
Baby’s name: Doesn’t have one yet

By DONNA SILBERBERG

When a baby rhinoceros was born at the Bronx Zoo shortly before Christmas, the only person present was Chris Wilgenkamp, 38, a Primary Wild Animal Keeper and vice president of Local 1501.

“The birth of a baby animal is always beautiful. It’s one of the great things about this job,” said Chris, who has worked at the zoo for 11 years.

“The mother was in labor for about 20 minutes, which is normal. Out came this object the size of a giant watermelon and weighing 100 pounds. It didn’t look like “a rhino at all, more like a little alien!” he said. “Within an hour, she was standing up and nursing. Six months later, she weighs 435 pounds, and when she grows up she’ll weigh more than two tons.”

Saving endangered species
The Bronx Zoo, headquarters of the Wildlife Conservation Society, is famous for its successful endangered species breeding program, which is carried out by workers like Chris, one of 147 Wild Animal Keepers at the zoo.

For 19 days after the birth, Keeper Gina Savastano monitored every contact between the mother and calf for a study she is doing on her own time in co-ordination with the zoo.

Ella, 15 years old, carried her baby for 15 months.“Three years went into producing this baby rhino,” Chris said. “Everything is planned. We introduce the male and female and work with them to mate, which with rhinos can take 3 to 4 years. Now we want to make sure the mom is attentive to her infant.”

The baby went on exhibit May 1. “She already has her own personality,” said Chris. “She’s very bold and playful and reminds me a lot of Ella in the way she relates to people.”

Chris has a striking ability to relate to animals. When the zoo’s monorail stops in front of the elephants, Chris calls out, “Maxine!” and the largest Asian female elephant in the U.S. comes running to him.

Three generations together
When the monorail stops near the rhinos, he calls out, “Hey, Pinky!” and the grandmother of the baby rhino perks up her ears. The mud-covered mother is nearby with her huge left hind leg held up slightly so that the baby can come underneath to nurse.

“For this job you have to love animals,” says Chris, who has always worked with the zoo’s largest mammals. “The key is to establish a bond of trust. We see who gets along, who doesn’t treat cuts, clean and feed them. We’re the hands-on people working with the managers and others. There’s a lot of heavy lifting and long hours. In addition, I’m very active in my local because I believe the union is crucial in protecting workers’ rights.”

It must be worth the long hours, though, because Chris has two daughters, Victoria, 16, and Ryan, 9, who wants to be a Wild Animal Keeper when she grows up — just like dad.