A RHINO calf born at Chester Zoo has been captured on camera playing outside for the first time.

The one-week-old Eastern black rhino spent around an hour running around and rolling in sand before returning to mum Malindi's side and heading off for a well-deserved snooze.

Curator of mammals Tim Rowlands said: "Malindi has bonded very well with her new calf during these important early days and, as an experienced mum, is doing a great job once again.

"The calf has bundles of energy and keepers will soon choose a name that perfectly matches his big personality."

On Tuesday, July 31 the calf was born to Malindi just before 1pm in front of surprised visitors at the zoo.

Listed as critically endangered, experts fear that there are as few as 650 left in the wild.

The growing price of rhino horn has led to a massive increase in poaching and decline in rhino numbers which have decreased by around 95% across Africa since the beginning of the 20th century.