The last southern black rhino living in Europe has died in the German zoo in Frankfurt am Main. The bull “Kalusho” had to be euthanized at the age of 37, the zoo announced on Thursday. His age has become noticeable in recent months.
The animal lost weight and became increasingly passive. In addition, “Kalusho’s” ability to move was increasingly limited by osteoarthritis, the zoo said.
“Easy for anyone”
His good phases have become rarer lately. The decision to euthanasia was made on Wednesday. “Many of us have been working closely with and around him for years – something like this is not easy for anyone,” explains zoo director Christina Geiger.
“Kalusho” came to Frankfurt from Zimbabwe in 1989 as part of a rescue program with the rhino “Tsororo”. This made the zoo the only keeper of southern black rhinos in all of Europe. All other black rhinos kept in Europe are other subspecies, mainly East African black rhinos.
Also very rare in the wild
Southern black rhinos are very rare, not only in zoos, but also in the wild. They are among the species most at risk of extinction. Rhino cow “Tsororo” died in Frankfurt in 2016. The three daughters were resettled in Africa. It was initially unclear how rhino farming would continue in Frankfurt.
Source: Krone
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