Rare black rhino with ‘sweet disposition’ dies at MI zoo. ‘Utterly devastated’
A beloved black rhino named Doppsee died after a monthlong health battle at a Michigan zoo.
“We are utterly devastated to inform you that Doppsee, our beloved female rhino, passed away yesterday. As many of you know, Doppsee received immediate and around the clock medical treatment by a team of veterinarians and animal care staff led by our Director of Animal Health, Dr. Ronan Eustace over the past month following a sudden decline in her health,” the Potter Park Zoo said in an Aug. 29 statement posted on Facebook.
Doppsee’s treatment started when the zoo’s veterinary team discovered “signs of an obstruction” during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination and while it looked to be working, her health took another turn for the worse.
“An endoscopy procedure was done to identify the cause of her continued discomfort and another obstruction was identified. Aggressive treatment was started including a nasal gastric tube for fluids for many days,” the zoo said. “Following the procedure Doppsee continued to decline and the incredibly difficult decision was made to euthanize her.”
The critically endangered rhinoceros came to the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas. She was born in 2007 and was one of two rhinos at Potter Park, the zoo said on its website.
“Doppsee was an incredible ambassador and meant the world to our team and our community. In addition to the tremendous amount of information she provided to benefit her species through multiple research studies, her interaction with zoo guests young and old was an inspiration to all,” the zoo continued. “Her sweet disposition and love for attention touched so many hearts and inspired many to care about the future of black rhinos in the wild. She will never be forgotten.”
Black rhinos are native to southern Africa and have a median life expectancy of 18 years, the zoo says. As of today, there is a population of more than 6,000, the World Wildlife Fund reports.