KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The oldest rhinoceros in the United States has passed away at a zoo in Tennessee. Dolly, who was 56 years old, was a beloved resident at Zoo Knoxville.
On Thursday, the zoo announced via a social media update that Dolly was euthanized after experiencing a marked decline in mobility over the past few days. Despite having received medical care tailored for her advanced age, the situation did not improve. The decision to end Dolly’s suffering was made by her veterinary team, with input from experts at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.
The zoo indicated that the specialists concluded there were no remaining treatment options that could ensure a good quality of life for Dolly. “This is an emotional time for everyone who has cared for and loved Dolly,” stated Bill Street, president and CEO of Zoo Knoxville. “She was a remarkable animal, and her impact on this zoo and the people who have met her is immeasurable. Our priority was her comfort and dignity, and we take comfort in knowing she was surrounded by the people who knew her best.”
Dolly was born in 1968 in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, South Africa, and she became one of the first white rhinos to reside at the Knoxville zoo, where she had lived since 1976. Over the years, she successfully raised 10 calves, demonstrating her fierce protective nature, along with a stubborn personality, according to the zoo’s description.
However, in her later years, Dolly showed a softer side, spending her days leisurely grazing and enjoying good naps in the sand, as detailed on the zoo’s website. The average life expectancy for southern white rhinos is approximately 36.5 years, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Although white rhinos are the most prevalent species among rhinoceroses, their populations are on the decline. At the beginning of the 20th century, it is estimated that about half a million rhinos existed worldwide. Presently, there are only around 27,000 rhinos remaining, with approximately 17,000 being southern white rhinos.
The situation has been made worse by poaching, as about 10,000 rhinos across Africa and Asia have been illegally killed for their horns in the last decade. This troubling trend emphasizes the critical need for conservation efforts to protect these magnificent animals.
