After a gestation period of about 16 months, the female white rhino gives birth to a single calf. Weaned at 2 years old, the young will only be independent at about 3 or 4 years old, chased by its mother that will be able raise a new calf. So a female white rhino will only give birth to a single calf every 3 to 4 years. This low reproductive rate, combined with the strong threats that the species is facing such as poaching, strengthen the difficulties in conservation measures.