Our animal care team confirms the healthy development of Shiwa and Brutus, who have now started venturing out into the outdoor meadow

At Terra Natura Benidorm, we are closely monitoring the development of Brutus, the Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) calf born at our facilities last July. The young calf continues to develop very well, has already reached 60 kg and is beginning to take his first steps towards greater independence. Although he remains closely attached to his mother, Shiwa, he is showing increasing curiosity about his surroundings each day and is beginning to explore the areas around him — a clear sign of his healthy development.

Among his most recent discoveries are the water pool and muddy areas within the enclosure, where he spends much of his time playing, splashing and covering himself in mud. This behaviour is a natural part of his learning process and also serves an important purpose for the species, as mud helps to keep the skin cool while providing a protective barrier against insects.

The bond between mother and calf remains extremely strong. Brutus is still nursing, receiving breast milk rich in fats, nutrients and microbiological protection, all of which are essential for his growth during the early stages of life. The calf moves confidently between Shiwa’s legs to reach her udders, demonstrating the coordination and confidence expected of a healthy young rhino.

Since his birth, Brutus has experienced steady growth. While he weighed approximately 45 kg at birth, he now weighs around 60 kg. His skin is also continuing to develop. The soft and sensitive texture characteristic of the first days of life is gradually giving way to the thick, robust skin typical of the Indian rhino.

Our animal care team has also begun giving Shiwa and Brutus daily access to the outdoor meadow. For the time being, both remain cautious when entering this new space. Shiwa continues to be highly protective of her calf, which is completely natural while he remains vulnerable due to his young age and small size. Any change in their surroundings prompts mother and calf to explore the meadow carefully and at their own pace.

For this reason, access to the outdoor area is entirely voluntary, allowing both animals to enter and leave the enclosure freely according to their own pace of adaptation. We hope that, over the coming days, mother and calf will become increasingly comfortable using this space, allowing our visitors to see Brutus exploring the outdoor enclosure more frequently.

Although the strong bond between Shiwa and Brutus currently makes it difficult to carry out a detailed veterinary examination, the daily monitoring conducted by our animal care and veterinary teams confirms that the calf’s development is progressing very well. Continuous observation of his behaviour, weight gain, sensory development, mobility and growing interest in exploring his surroundings all indicate that he is developing in line with what would be expected for the species.

The birth of Brutus marks the third Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) born at Terra Natura Benidorm, representing another important milestone in our commitment to the conservation of one of the world’s most threatened large mammal species and to international breeding programmes for wildlife under human care.