Lincoln Park Zoo's Baby Rhino Has a Name-and She's About to Meet Chicago
The arrival of a new animal is always joyous news, but that arrival is even more exciting when you get to meet the new baby. Born March 19, an eastern black rhinoceros, Kapuki gave birth to a female calf at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Since her birth, the new female calf has reached all her milestones, including walking, nursing and growing. After having spent some much-needed bonding time with her mom, the female calf made her grand entrance to zoo guests.
Before the new female was presented to the city of Chicago, a name was finally chosen. The name was picked out by Jim Neis, a longtime Lincoln Park Zoo life trustee and supporter, and it's full of symbolism and beauty.
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Chicago, Get Ready to Meet Hazana
Named Hazana (Ha-zee-nah), which means "treasured" in Swahili, this new female calf is ready for her close-up. Already treasured by Chicago residents, Hazana and Kapuki are set to provide plenty of joy to guests for generations to come, thanks to Jim Neis for including the zoo in his estate plans.
Hazana made her public debut on April 29 during an exclusive preview for Lincoln Park Zoo members. The zoo's care team is ensuring that Hazana enjoys her time in the outdoor habitat and meshes well with the environment.
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To celebrate the arrival of the new calf, the Lincoln Park Zoo is offering a limited-edition Adopt an Animal package, which includes mom and baby rhinoceros plushes. Those looking to celebrate by contributing can visit the Zoo's Wish List to donate fresh leafy plants for the rhinos to eat.
The arrival of Hazana is an important milestone for the species, as the eastern black rhinoceros is considered critically endangered. Hazana is Kapuki's third offspring at Lincoln Park Zoo and was confirmed via hormone analysis from noninvasive fecal samples. The birth was part of a survival plan for the species and was considered incredibly important for its future.
Although poaching caused the species to decline by 98 percent from 1960 through 1995, these preservation efforts are helping boost current numbers and continue to stabilize numbers moving forward. While there's still plenty of work to be done, the birth of Hazana is a joyous milestone that deserves to be celebrated.
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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 5:20 PM.