SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 19, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Hogle Zoo on Thursday announced the humane euthanization of George, the male southern white rhino who was 48 years old and one of the Zoo’s longest-term residents.
Early this year, George was diagnosed with a rapidly spreading cancer in his left rear leg, a Zoo statement says. Due to his advanced age, George had already been “experiencing dental disease, muscle atrophy and a general slowing down, much like human seniors.”
For the lesser maladies, the Hogle Zoo statement says, “George received special bedding and flooring, supplements, medication, and treatment to support his comfort. The treatment plan was modified daily if needed as a dedicated team of zoo experts, including veterinarians, keepers, and operations, worked together to provide George with the highest level of care.”
For the cancer, Hogle Zoo’s veterinarians consulted with human and veterinary oncologists to consider various treatment options for cancer.
“However, no long-term treatment options were available based on age, size, and thick skin. In November 2024, Hogle Zoo’s animal care and health teams discovered two new masses on the back half of his body, which they managed with daily medications in fruit to support his comfort and mobility.”
George was “humanely euthanized on Dec. 18, 2024, after his health declined in the last few weeks,” the Zoo statement says.
“Hogle Zoo will continue working with the rhinoceros species advisory group to learn how best to support rhino populations under human care.”
Southern white rhinos live in the grasslands, savannas, and shrublands of South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. They are the third-largest land animal after the two species of elephants, the news release says.
“At the start of the 20th century, about 500,000 rhinos shared the planet with us. Today, roughly 28,000 rhinos remain. Four of the five rhino species are threatened with extinction; three are critically endangered and could become extinct within our lifetime. Rhinos are threatened by poaching for rhino horn, habitat destruction, and human-wildlife conflict.”
