She's not heavy, she's my daughter! Adorable rhino born weighing 30 kilograms at Taronga Zoo – and she won't leave her mum's side

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An adorable critically endangered baby female rhino born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo - and the first pictures of her show she's very attached to her mum.

The yet-to-be-named Southern Black Rhino calf is the fourth born in the past 12 years to the Zoo's breeding program, but the first to her mother Kufara. 

She weighed between 25 and 30 kilograms at birth, and as an adult could reach 900kg.

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A female Southern Black Rhino calf (pictured left) was born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo earlier this month

'Both mother and calf are doing well,' said zookeeper Linda Matthews.

'Kufara is very cautious and protective of her calf which is a natural behaviour for a first-time mother.

'We are really happy with the maternal behaviours Kufara is displaying, she is very attentive and ensuring her calf suckles frequently which is all very positive.'

Pictures of the calf and her mother show the pair standing close together at the Zoo in central west NSW, with Kufara appearing to be leaning towards her daughter.

The mother-daughter duo will stay behind the scenes for the next few weeks to continue strengthening their bond, and will meet the public in late June. 

The calf, who is yet to be named, has already formed a strong bond to her mother Kufara. She is the adult rhino's firstborn 

At birth, the calf weighed between 25 and 30 kilograms, but as an adult she could weigh up to 900 kilograms

The mother-daughter duo will remain behind the scenes, strengthening their bond, before they are unveiled to the public in late June

The Southern Black Rhino is critically endangered, adding an extra reason to celebrate the calf's birth.

According to Ms Matthews, there are only 4,200 Black Rhinos left in the wild. 

The zookeeper says poaching is the main threat to the animal's survival. There is a rising demand for the rhino's horn, which is both a status symbol and an ingredient in some Asian medicine.

The Southern Black Rhino is endangered due to high demand for the animal's horn. Only 4,200 exist in the wild