Did you know one of the last living northern white rhinos has passed away, leaving only three left in the whole world?

2015-11-22T17:42:05-05:00

One of the last living northern white rhinos has passed away, leaving only three left in the world, the San Diego Zoo announced Sunday morning.

Nola was a 41-year-old rhinoceros at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and lived there since 1989. Her species is critically endangered with just three others living in a preserve in Kenya.

"This is a very difficult loss for the animal care staff who worked with her, our volunteers, guests, and to her species worldwide," the San Diego Zoo said in a statement on its Facebook page.
The 4,500-pound rhino was under veterinary care for a bacterial infection as well as age-related issues when her condition took a turn for the worse.

"In the last 24 hours, Nola’s condition worsened and we made the difficult decision to euthanize her. We’re absolutely devastated by this loss, but resolved to fight even harder to #EndExtinction," the San Diego Zoo Safari Park said in a statement.
Nola had previously undergone multiple procedures and diagnostic tests over the past few months to find the source of an infection near her right hip. She had previously underwent a surgical procedure to remove an abscess discovered during a recent ultrasound.

"Nola’s legacy will live forever as her death leaves just 3 northern white rhinos on the planet," the zoo said.
"You will be deeply, dearly missed," the San Diego Zoo Safari Park said.

Northern white rhinos are at the brink of extinction due to poaching for their horn, zoo officials said.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park recently received six southern white rhinos between four and seven years old from private reserves in South Africa. These rhinos will become surrogate mothers for northern white rhino embryos developed by researchers.

Researchers are optimistic within the next 10 to 15 years a northern white rhino could be born from these efforts.
San Diego Zoo Global has one of the most successful rhino breeding programs in the world. To date, a total of 94 southern white rhinos, 68 greater one-horned rhinos and 14 black rhinos have been born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Critically Endangered Rhino Dies, 3 Left in World

Nola was a 41-year-old rhinoceros at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Nov 22 at 2015 5:54 PM

2015-11-22T17:54:01-05:00

It saddens me that they are almost all gone.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2015 6:34 PM

2015-11-22T18:34:52-05:00

A tremendous loss to God's Kingdom.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 22 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-11-22T20:01:28-05:00

Well to be honest, God alone knows how many white rhinos are alive MSgt Curtis Ellis. I realize that as far as the trackers are concerned only three remain in the wild.
I have read other reports that captive white rhinos in zoos are breeding. Hopefully this is true. I expect there may also be other white rhinos outside the protected area :-)

Response by PV2 Scott Goodpasture made Nov 22 at 2015 9:58 PM

2015-11-22T21:58:23-05:00

John McCain?

Response by SP5 David Cox made Nov 24 at 2015 1:52 PM

2015-11-24T13:52:46-05:00

My wife volunteers out at the Safari Park - everyone there is sorry to see Nola go.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 10:53 PM

2015-12-03T22:53:36-05:00

my wife is actually one of the trainers of the 6 new southern white rhinos who are going to be trained for ivf using nothern white rhino eggs and sperm. So my wife is directly in the fight to save the species.