CLEVELAND — After a public vote that raised more than $10,000 for rhino conservation efforts, the baby rhino born in July at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo now has a name: Dalia.
Dalia, who turns one month old today, got her name through an online fundraiser during which guests cast their vote with a donation to the Zoo's Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve for the name they liked best. The results were announced in a Facebook video posted by the Zoo on Tuesday.
Dalia, which means "gentle" was the top donation winner over Ali, which means "supreme" and Anika, which means "sweet." All of the names traced back roots to the Eastern black rhino's native regions in Africa, the Zoo said.
After a month of bonding with her mother Kibibbi, Dalia will be available for guests to see at the Zoo's outdoor rhino habitat starting tomorrow, Aug. 10.
The donations raised will go toward vital efforts to protect rhinos in the wild. Dalia's species, the Eastern black rhino, is considered critically endangered with less than 750 remaining in the wild.
Habitat loss, poaching and the illegal rhino horn trade have wreaked havoc on rhino populations; the funds raised in Dalia's naming will help the African Wildlife Foundation to recruit, train and equip wildlife scouts and anti-poaching patrols, among other efforts.
Dalia is the third calf delivered by Kibibbi and second with Dalia's father Forrest. She's the first rhino born at the Zoo since it opened the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve in 2020.
Dalia is one of two high-profile animals born in Ohio zoos to make headlines this month. Yesterday, the Cincinnati Zoo announced the gender of its newborn hippo calf, the brother of viral sensation Fiona. The male hippo calf's name will be announced later this week.