Rhino with a ‘personality that matched her big 4,000+ pound size’ dies at NC Zoo
A beloved rhino with a “big personality” died after years at the North Carolina Zoo.
Natalie the rhino was a “tough, independent female” when she started living at the wildlife park in 2007. But she eventually warmed up, becoming a dedicated friend to fellow rhino Abby, according to the zoo.
“She was an experienced mother and took on the ‘auntie’ role with our first set of calves in 2020 as they started to disperse from their mothers,” Jade Tuttle, an animal management supervisor, said in a Jan. 17 news release.
In recent months, Natalie also wanted affection from zookeepers as she experienced kidney failure and other health problems. Caretakers “made the difficult decision to euthanize Natalie when treatment efforts were no longer effective,” Dr. Tim Georoff, associate veterinarian at the zoo, wrote in the release.
Natalie was 30 years old when she died on Jan. 10. She leaves behind seven other N.C. Zoo rhinos as well as three sons living at other zoos.
“Her wild spirit was one of a kind, and she will be missed,” Tuttle wrote.
Natalie was a southern white rhino, which are native to Africa and have two horns that historically made them a target for poaching. The species can live more than 40 years and weigh up to 5,000 pounds, according to wildlife officials.
At the zoo, Natalie “had a personality that matched her big 4,000+ pound size” and is remembered for her intelligence.
“She was a very smart rhino, often leaving us wondering who was training whom,” Tuttle said.
Natalie previously lived at White Oak Conservation Center in Florida before coming to the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro, roughly 70 miles west of Raleigh.
This story was originally published January 18, 2023 at 11:02 AM with the headline "Rhino with a ‘personality that matched her big 4,000+ pound size’ dies at NC Zoo."
