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Nature FeaturesYou are in: Devon > Nature > Nature Features > Zuri's first birthday  Zuri side by side with her mum Sita Zuri's first birthdayBy Kevin Heathorn Paignton Zoo's baby black rhino is one year old and is teaching her mum Sita some new tricks. We've been to see how she's grown over the past 12 months. Rhinocam wins innovation awardBBC South West has won a prestigious Media Innovation Award for bringing Zuri's birth to a worldwide audience. The rhinocam became cult viewing for thousands of rhino watchers around the globe as they followed the pregnancy of Paignton Zoo's female black rhino Sita. Judges at the award ceremony in Plymouth described it as a "fantastic collaboration" between the BBC Devon website, the Inside Out TV programme and broadband providers. On 5 March 2007 people all over the world watched via webcam as Paignton Zoo's baby black rhino, Zuri, was born. Web-watchers held their breath as Zuri battled for five hours to find her feet and another hour to get her first feed from mum, Sita. Now one year old, Zuri has gone from strength to strength and has grown into a healthy and confident young rhino.
Help playing audio/video Keepers at Paignton Zoo are delighted with her progress.  Zuri's horn is growing well "Zuri has grown into a proper little rhino," said senior rhino keeper Jason Knight. "She's doing really well and we've had no problems at all. "You can see how she has bulked up over the past 12 months and her horn has grown quite big. "We'd love to know how much weight Zuri has put on, but unfortunately we have no way of weighing her." Growing in confidenceZuri has become much more confident about her surroundings and is happy to let the keepers scratch her ears and feed her by hand. And the confidence of youth has rubbed off on her mum, Sita. "Sita and Zuri have bonded really well," explained Jason. "It's been interesting to see how Sita has changed having a youngster around. "She was always quite nervous and would get quite upset if you put something new into her pen. "Zuri isn't troubled by that, so we've started adding new things to stimulate them. Sita is definitely more relaxed and is learning from her daughter."  Zuri has a confident personality It's normal for rhinos to suckle for around 18 months, so despite her size, Zuri is still taking milk from her mother. However, the youngster is munching her way through plenty of solid food like apples and carrots and can often be seen chewing branches. Mother and daughter are likely to stay together for at least another year or two. They'll have to be separated when Sita is ready to mate again with father, Kingo. "Zuri's going to be here at Paignton Zoo for another year or two, maybe more," said Jason. "She's our first baby black rhino, but we're hoping to have some more. We've learnt so much from the experience. "She's likely to move to another zoo when she's a bit older. Obviously she can't mate with Kingo, so she'll probably be found a suitable partner elsewhere. "Long term, Zuri is part of a captive breeding programme and we hope she's going to have a role to play in saving the black rhino." Many of Zuri's 'fans' still pay regular visits to see how she is getting on, making her the zoo's star attraction over the past 12 months. last updated: 17/03/2008 at 16:54 Have Your SayIf you've been following Zuri's story, send us your comments here: Lisa, Bognor Jane in Torquay rachel stephenson Chris P Paignton Jane in Torquay Mollie from Epsom Chris P Paignton Jane in Torquay mensah desmond Chris P Paignton Jane in Torquay Carol from Wiltshire Carol from Wiltshire Chris P Paignton Chris P Paignton sara Jane P, Surrey Jane in Torquay Carol from Wiltshire Chris P Paignton josy from stafford Jane in Torquay Chris P Paignton Carol from Wiltshire Jane in Torquay SANDY ALLAWAY Chris, Torrington Jane in Torquay Chris P Paignton 6th March 2008 steve morrison. Eliza Bennet Carol From Wiltshire pensioner, Silverton John, Bovey Tracey ????? DONNA from Yelverton Jill - Australia Jane in Torquay Bernard Jones Jason, Torquay E. Yore Kalyani, Geneva Chris P . Paignton Chris, Torrington Carol from Wiltshire Chris P Paignton Chris P Paignton jackie (northampton) Tom Christine Kendall greenjewel Jane in Torquay Bernard Jones Jill - Australia Bernard Jones Lisa, Bognor Carol from Wiltshire Chris P Paignton Kevin - Paignton SEE ALSOYou are in: Devon > Nature > Nature Features > Zuri's first birthday   
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