North Carolina Zoo mourns loss of Natalie, rhino with big personality

The North Carolina Zoo announced the death of Natalie, a southern white rhinoceros.

Natalie was euthanized on Jan. 10 after a period of declining health, zoo officials said. The veterinarian and animal care teams had been treating the 30-year-old rhino for chronic kidney failure, anemia and multisystemic disease for the past several months.

"Unfortunately, her health was in a steep decline despite treatment efforts, which led to a decrease in quality of life," said Associate Veterinarian for the North Carolina Zoo, Dr. Tim Georoff. "This week, the animal care and vet teams made the difficult decision to euthanize Natalie when treatment efforts were no longer effective."

Natalie arrived at the North Carolina Zoo with her son Lyonnel in 2007. Zookeepers said Natalie had a personality that matched her big 4,000+ pound size.

Natalie was a tough, independent female when she arrived at the zoo, where she gradually softened through the years, according to Animal Management Supervisor Jade Tuttle.

"She was a very smart rhino, often leaving us wondering who was training whom," Tuttle said. "In her declining health, she began to seek out affection from staff and was dedicated to her bestie, rhino Abby. Her wild spirit was one of a kind, and she will be missed by our crash."

The North Carolina Zoo now has a rhino crash of seven females — Linda, Kit, Abby, Nandi, Bonnie, Jojo and Mguu.

Donations in remembrance of Natalie and for rhino conservation worldwide can be made by visiting www.nczoo.com.