THE deaths of four white rhinos at Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo in recent days has baffled veterinary staff and initiated an immediate veterinary investigation to pinpoint the cause of the loss.
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The rhinos were reported to have died suddenly after showing some neurological abnormalities such as stumbling.
As a precaution, the white rhinos have been removed from display and placed in a quarantine area at the zoo. They are being closely monitored by zookeeping staff and the veterinary team.
The zoo’s general manager Matt Fuller said the veterinary team was working around the clock and consulting with rhinoceros specialists in Africa and North America, as well as specialist government virologists, government vet services, pathology laboratories and specialists.
“We’re focusing our resources to try and get some answers,” Mr Fuller said.
He said Benn Bryant, the zoo’s head vet was regarded as a consultant with international standing and he was working with “the support and attention of the best people in the world”, to try and find answers.
Mr Fuller said so far the investigation had ruled out exposure to toxins, bacterial infection, snake venom and organ failure as causes of death.
Currently a battery of tests were underway to investigate possible viral causes, although several types including Hendra virus and West Nile virus have also been ruled out.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo vets are currently awaiting results from an array of further tests.
No other species have been affected by the illness and other animals at the zoo are healthy.
The sudden nature of the deaths has shocked the zoo’s staff and the management team was working to provide support, and counselling if needed.
“Obviously the rhino keepers and veterinary staff know and care for every individual in the herd, so this has been a huge shock and we’re all very sad and supporting each other through this difficult time,” Mr Fuller said.
“Our focus is on continuing this investigation to pinpoint the cause of the sickness and to care for the remaining animals in the herd.
The zoo has three southern white rhinos remaining in quarantine and the four animals that had died were animals (or progeny of these) imported to the zoo from Kruger National Park in 2003.
Among the dead was the calf Amira, which was hand-raised by zoo staff.
“The staff had a very close bond and affection for Amira,” he said.
Mr Fuller said the white rhinos were a social animal and it was believed because they lived in a group, any disease or virus could be easily transferred from animal to animal.
He reiterated the fact no other animals, including the zoo’s display of nine black rhinos, had been impacted by the mystery virus and deaths.