ZooTampa at Lowry Park announced on Twitter Friday that its newest baby rhino would be named “Gronk" after Buccaneers star tight end Rob Gronkowski.
“Two Gronks are better than one! We are thrilled to introduce our new baby Rhino calf, Gronk, named after Tampa Bay Buccaneer,” wrote the zoo in a Tweet.
Gronkowski rejoined the NFL this year after retiring in 2019, reuniting with his former Patriots teammate Tom Brady in Tampa.
In a brief video, Gronkowski welcomed the baby rhino to the world. “It is an honor to meet you Baby Gronk and you are my new inspiration,” Gronkowski said, who also mentioned that it's a fitting tribute since his friends say he looks like a dinosaur.
.@ZooTampa named a baby rhino after @RobGronkowski, and he just had to meet him! 🦏😍 pic.twitter.com/hSZK22oAJb
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 23, 2020
The rhino was born in September, bringing a little bit of happiness into the current chaos of the world.
“Jamie and Johnny have had their new calf born on Saturday night and is as cute as can be!” tweeted the zoo. “This will be Jamie's fourth calf and Johnny's first making this newborn incredibly important to the Species Survival Plan and future conservation to this vulnerable species.”
Gronk is an Indian rhino, considered a “vulnerable species” by the World Wildlife Fund due to trophy hunting. Worldwide, there are an estimated 3,700 Indian rhinos left.
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