12-year-old Doppsee, a rhino at the Potter Park Zoo, gave birth to a black rhino on the evening of Christmas.

According to the Potter Park Zoo, which is located in Lansing, Michigan, the rhino and the mother are doing well and are currently bonding.

Ronan Eustace, the veterinary at the Potter Park Zoo, released a statement about the incident in a press conference.

Ronan said, “As this is Doppsee’s first pregnancy, the animal care, and veterinary staff will continue to monitor Doppsee and her calf closely in the next few weeks.”

Ronan added, “But so far, the rhino calf appears healthy and we have observed frequent nursing shortly after the birth, which is encouraging.”

Black Rhinos are listed as critically endangered due to heavy poaching and loss of natural habitat.

According to Save the Rhino, in 1970, the population of Black Rhinos was at an estimated 65,000.

Right now, the population of black rhinos is around 5,500.

Phineus, the father of the baby, who hasn’t been named yet, was transferred to Potter Park from Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas, in 2017.

Phineus and Doppsee were matched to breed together through the Eastern Black Rhino Species Survival Plan.

Cynthia Wagner, the director of the Potter Park, said, “This is a monumental moment for Potter Park Zoo that has taken our staff years of planning and hard work.”

Wagner added, “We are dedicated to conserving rhinos and couldn’t be more excited about this successful black rhino birth.”

The baby and her mother will be out of public viewing for a number of months.

The zoo said they will provide updates about the animals on social media.

There are just over 50 black rhinos in the care of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoos.

2 black rhino calves are born at zoos every year.

Good news on Christmas!