November 15, 2011

DENVER ZOO MOURNING LOSS OF BLACK RHINOCEROS "GEORGE"
Animal Was Among 10 Oldest Zoo Rhinos in the World

George, a 28-year-old black rhinoceros at Denver Zoo, was humanely euthanized today, Nov. 15. At the time of his death, George was the ninth oldest black rhinoceros in zoos around the world. George had been under close veterinary care for several health issues including diverticulitis, chronic diarrhea and continued weight loss. The black rhino was found unable to stand by zookeepers working the nightshift. Preliminary necropsy (animal autopsy) results have revealed that George's spleen had ruptured and veterinary staff members continue to search for other health issues.

Animal care staff was monitoring and treating George for his health issues. Regular blood and mineral panels helped staff treat other symptoms with supplements and supportive care. Due to the thick skin and muscle tissues found in rhinos, it was difficult to detect other potential issues with internal organs.

After finding George struggling to stand in the indoor habitat of the pachyderm building, zookeepers and veterinary staff made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize early in the morning on Nov. 15.

"All of us at Denver Zoo will miss George greatly. He was a wonderful animal and a great ambassador for his wild brethren. Black rhinos are critically endangered in the wild and there are less than 90 black rhinos in North American zoos. A loss like this is felt among each zoo that has worked so hard to support the conservation of this animal. It is a tragic loss that is felt by many," says Denver Zoo spokesperson Tiffany Barnhart.

George was born January 11, 1983 and came to Denver in 1984 from Cincinnati Zoo. In 1992 George fathered a calf named Tony with a female named Onyx. Denver Zoo is home to two other black rhinos, female, Shy Anne and male, Mshindi.

Due to their slow reproductive rate and the continuing threat of poaching, the black rhino is critically endangered. In 1970 there were an estimated 100,000 black rhinos but today there are only about 3,700 animals left, according to the International Union of Conservation of Nature. Although some black rhinos are slowly making a comeback in well-protected areas, they continue to be poached in unprotected areas for their horn which is used in traditional Chinese medicine and in Yemen for dagger handles. Black rhinos are also threatened by habitat loss.