Marc Ecko, a fashion designer who founded the famous rhino-brand line of apparel *ecko unltd., has just added a third child to his family—a wild rhino calf! The Indian rhino youngster was born at the Wild Animal Park in January, but he lost his mother four days later. Now being hand raised in the Park’s Animal Care Center, little Ecko got to meet his namesake on April 14.

What’s it like to feed and touch a baby rhino? “It was very cool!” said Mr. Ecko with genuine enthusiasm. “The little guy has such a gentle demeanor for a 600-pound baby!” (see video)

The rhino calf’s name helps to symbolize a new partnership between *ecko unltd., the International Rhino Foundation, and the Wild Animal Park. Marc Ecko said the rhino, with its “clumsy poise,” embodied his own business’ awkward beginnings. Soon the rhino became more to him than just his company’s logo and he decided to give back to the animal that provided the inspiration.

In the partnership’s first action, populations of Indian rhinos will be established in newly created reserves in India. (There are currently only about 2,500 Indian rhinos left in the wild, about half the number needed for the long-term survival of the species.) Plans are underway to send three female Indian rhinos from the Wild Animal Park to India, and three males will be sent to the Park in a breeding exchange. So how does a financial contribution from *ecko unltd. help? Shipping costs! “We are charged by the pound for each rhino we ship,” explained Randy Rieches, the Park’s mammal curator. Full-grown Indian rhinos can weigh 4,000 to 6,000 pounds. Part of Marc Ecko’s generosity will pay for each traveling rhinoceros.

Rhinos have a fashionable new friend, one who is ready to help with his philanthropy and his willingness to raise his customers’ rhino awareness.

Debbie Andreen is the San Diego Zoo’s Web Site editor.