Zoo Atlanta announces ‘devatating loss’ of southern white rhino

Zoo Atlanta’s 2-year-old female southern white rhino, Zuri, has died following a brief illness. According to a press release, Zuri experienced a sharp decline in her health and behavior earlier this week, and blood tests revealed severe anemia. The zoo’s veterinary team administered extensive treatments, including an emergency blood transfusion using compatible blood from adult female Dakari and blood donated from other AZA facilities. Despite the team’s quick work and intensive care, Zuri continued to decline and died on Nov. 6, the release said. Zuri, a southern white rhino, has died at Zoo Atlanta. (Supplied) “This is a devastating loss for the Zoo Atlanta team,” said Sam Rivera, DVM, Vice President of Animal Health. “The loss of Zuri is crushing not only because she was such a young animal who was treasured as an individual, but also because she was an incredibly valuable member of her vulnerable species. While it is too early for us to presume on any specific cause,