Senior keeper Pascale Benoit was in a celebratory mood as she made the happy announcement but the expectant mother was determined to stay out of the limelight as a posse of eager tourists crowded around.

The visitors were treated to an unscheduled keeper talk as Pascale provided details of the impending birth.

“Reproductive experts from the International Zoo and Wildlife Research Institute in Berlin confirmed the pregnancy via ultrasound during their recent visit to Taronga Western Plains,’’ she said.

“Aluka is around three and four months pregnant and with a gestation period of 16 to 18 months we can expect a calf between August and October next year.

“The new arrival will weigh around 70kg at birth and will reach two tonne in five years.

“The baby will be the 11th white rhino born at Western Plains Zoo.’’

Aluka is one of five Southern White Rhinoceros transported from Kruger National Park in South Africa to add important genetic diversification to the Dubbo herd.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo plays a significant role in a regionally co-ordinated breeding program for the Southern White Rhinoceros and is one of the leading institutes in the management of the species.

The animals have been on the brink of extinction and are considered endangered.

At the start of the 20th century there were no more than 200 Southern White Rhinos left in the wild.

International conservation, research and breeding programs have boosted numbers but poaching pressure is still intense.