Layla the rhino calf wows crowds in Budapest

The world’s first rhino calf born through artificial insemination thrilled scores of children and journalists in her press debut at Budapest Zoo on Thursday.

Layla, a two-and-a-half-month old Southern White Rhino who is Hungary’s answer to celebrity German polar bear cub Knut, at first appeared intimidated by the crowd at her naming ceremony, but later sniffed happily around her paddock.

“Every new life is a miracle and we have had the fortune of being part of an even more special kind when this vigorous and playful calf came to light,” Budapest Zoo Director Ilma Bogsch told journalists.

The rhino was named Layla after a public vote on the zoo website won with 2,593 votes.

Born weighing 127.9 pounds in January, the zoo says Layla is in perfect health and has added 80 kg in just over two months, thanks to the care of zookeepers who adopted the calf after her mother, Lulu, rejected her at birth.

Knut was also rejected by his mother.

“Based upon the first tests she is in top condition, but it is also important to train her socially and today’s event is a good opportunity for that,” zoo vet Endre Sos said.

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation spotlights stringent New York state laws that have long drawn criticism

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDecades-old march dispute reignites in Northern Ireland, threatening political crisis

Sos said the mother, who is pregnant again, regarded Layla as a rival, leading to their early separation.

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation spotlights stringent New York state laws that have long drawn criticism

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDecades-old march dispute reignites in Northern Ireland, threatening political crisis

But the family drama seemed to matter little to Layla and the scores of pre-school children at the zoo, jostling to catch a good view of her.

“It is very cute. I just did not expect it to be so big,” Abraham Vitez, 5, said.

The Southern White Rhino — which is from Africa — was one of the first kind of rhino to reach the brink of extinction in our lifetime, according to the International Rhino Foundation.