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NC Zoo announces name of baby rhino chosen through public poll

ASHEBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina Zoo has announced the name of the female southern white rhino calf born at the zoo earlier this month.

[PHOTOS: Public names baby rhino born at NC Zoo]

“Nandi” was the first rhino born at the zoo in 41 years. She was born to mother Linda and father Stormy on July 2.

[Southern white rhino born at NC Zoo, first in 41 years]

The public was invited to vote on seven names chosen by the zookeepers. Each of the names offered – Nandi, Mamba, Diana, Boadicea, Grace O’Malley, Penelope and Wilhelmina – reflected the theme of strong, female leaders in history, both factual and mythical.

The top three names chosen in the public poll were Nandi, Mamba and Diana.

Father Stormy was given the three choices in African inspired custom-made poles spaced several feet apart from each other that were stuffed with Timothy hay – one of his favorite treats. He immediately trotted over to the pole that was named “Nandi,” according to zoo officials.

Nandi, which means "a woman of high esteem," was the queen of the Zulus and was born in the 1760s. She died in 1827 in the area now known as South Africa. Nandi was the mother of Shaka, king of the Zulus. Shaka is considered by some as one of the greatest Zulu chiefs and African military leaders. There are accounts that his establishment of all-female regiments was influenced by his warrior-mother.

Eleven days after Nandi was born, the zoo announced the birth of a second female baby rhino, to mom Kit and dad Stormy. The zoo will offer details about her naming process soon.

[Second rhinoceros born at North Carolina Zoo in 11 days]

There are currently around 20,000 southern white rhinos left in the wild, mostly in the southern Africa region.

The zoo’s herd now boasts nine rhinos which consist of Stormy and females Linda, Kit, Natalie and Abby, and the two calves. All seven are on public view at the Watani Grasslands 40-acre habitat.

Two older rhinos, Stan and Olivia live in an off-viewing retirement habitat.

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