The newest addition to Australia Zoo is a Southern White Rhino who arrived about 6am on Sunday after a two-hour labour, capping off a 17-month pregnancy.

It's the fourth Southern White Rhino born at the zoo in as many years.

And he is the sixth calf for Caballe, 21, who was born in South Africa's Kruger National Park before becoming a resident of Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand from 1999 to July 2010.

She was pregnant when she arrived at Australia Zoo on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in August 2010.

Australia Zoo's Head Keeper for "'Africa" Manu Ludden said the new arrival was doing well.

"We are so happy to announce the birth of another healthy baby rhinoceros. The calf weighs approximately 45kg and is doing extremely well. He's big and strong and is already suckling very well!" she said in a statement.

"Caballe is an amazing mother, she's very attentive and protective of her new baby boy."

Southern White Rhinos were believed to be extinct in the late 19th century until less than 100 were discovered in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa in 1895, according to the World Wildlife Fund..

This subspecies was now classified as "near threatened", with more than 20,000 animals found in protected areas and private game reserves.

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