This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/22/northern-white-rhinoceros-nola-euthanized-san-diego-zoo

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Three northern white rhinos left worldwide after zoo euthanization Northern white rhino put down at San Diego zoo leaving just three worldwide
(about 14 hours later)
A popular white rhinoceros has been euthanized at San Diego zoo safari park, after a series of illnesses. One of only four northern white rhinos believed left in the world has died at the San Diego zoo safari park.
The Los Angeles Times reported that at 41, Nola the rhino was considered geriatric and had a series of old-age ailments, including arthritis. The rhino had also been treated for a recurring abscess on her hip. Nola, a 41-year-old female who has been at the park since 1989, was put down on Sunday after her health worsened, a statement from the zoo said.
Zoo officials said Nola was euthanized early on Sunday after her condition deteriorated. The rhino had been a draw at the safari park since 1989, the paper reported, having come from a zoo in what is now the Czech Republic, and quickly became a favorite of the public and zookeepers. She had arthritis and other ailments and was being treated for a bacterial infection linked to an abscess in her hip.
Related: At home with the world's last male northern white rhinocerosRelated: At home with the world's last male northern white rhinoceros
“Nola was an iconic animal, not only at the Safari Park but worldwide,” the zoo said in a statement. Nola had surgery on 13 November to drain the abscess but her health began to deteriorate about a week ago; her appetite faltered and she became listless. Her condition got worse over the past 24 hours and vets decided they had to put her down, according to the zoo.
The Times also reported that in December, Angalifu, a male northern white rhino, died at age 44 at the safari park, of cancer. “Nola was an iconic animal, not only at the San Diego zoo safari park, but worldwide,” the statement said.
The newspaper said Nola’s death left only three northern white rhinos in the world – all at a sanctuary in Kenya, protected from poachers by around-the-clock armed guards. The remaining three northern white rhinos, all elderly, are in a closely guarded preserve in Kenya.
The subspecies has been pushed to the point of extinction by poachers, who kill the rhinos for their horns. They are in high demand in parts of Asia where some believe they have medicinal properties for treating everything from hangovers to cancer.
In an effort to preserve the species, the San Diego zoo took possession this month of six female southern white rhinos from South Africa.
Zoo researchers are working on developing northern white rhino embryos to be implanted in the six new arrivals, who will serve as surrogate mothers.