One of the rarest animals in the world has become pregnant for the first time at a Welsh zoo.
Folly Farm, in Pembrokeshire, has confirmed that six-year-old Dakima - a critically endangered eastern black rhino - is expecting her first calf, which will be the first ever rhino born in Wales.
There are thought to be fewer than 650 eastern black rhinos left in the wild, with only 88 in zoos across Europe.
Dakima is believed to have conceived in October last year after being slowly introduced to eight-year-old male Nkosi.
She is expected to give birth in January 2020.
"We’re over the moon to announce that our lovely Dakima is pregnant," said Tim Morphew, curator at Folly Farm.
"Similar to any human pregnancy, it’s still early days at the moment.
"But, if all goes well, we can expect our new arrival early next year."
Staff were initially unsure if Dakima and Nkosi would get on - and set about slowly and carefully introducing them to each other while she was in season.
"She isn't showing any signs of a bump just yet, so to confirm her pregnancy we took samples of her poo to Chester Zoo’s laboratories where they analysed the hormone levels and confirmed the great news."
The Kifaru Reserve, Folly Farm's £500,000 purpose-built flagship conservation exhibit, will now be baby-proofed ahead of the birth.
"Dakima is in great spirits at the moment, as a first-time mum she is taking everything in her stride," added Tim.
"We’ll support her in her pregnancy and make sure it's as natural as possible, stepping in where ever necessary.
"As for Nkosi, rhinos are solitary animals - so his job is pretty much done."
"We here at Folly Farm are proud to be playing a part in increasing the numbers of these fantastic animals, both in captivity and, hopefully, in the wild."
For further information visit www.folly-farm.co.uk.
