Zoo Atlanta announces loss of Southern white rhino

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Zuri, Zoo Atlanta’s Southern white rhino, has died after a brief illness, Zoo Atlanta said. “Zuri experienced a sharp decline in her health and behavior earlier this week, and blood tests revealed severe anemia,” the zoo said Sunday in a statement. Treatments included an emergency blood transfusion from an adult female Dakari with compatible blood and donated from other facilities, the zoo said. “Despite the team’s quick work and intensive care, Zuri continued to decline and died on November 6,” the zoo said. Zuri was the first Southern white rhino born at Zoo Atlanta. The offspring of Kiazi and Mumbles, Zuri, which means “beautiful” in Swahili, was born on Christmas Eve 2023. “This is a devastating loss for the Zoo Atlanta team,” said Sam Rivera, DVM, Vice President of Animal Health. “The loss of Zuri is crushing not only because she was such a young animal who was treasured as an individual, but also because she was an incredibly valuable member of her vulnerable species. While it is too early for us to presume on any specific cause, we are hopeful that pathology reports will tell us more about Zuri’s condition.” The news comes as Zoo Atlanta debuted its two new giant pandas this weekend. RELATED: Crowds clamor to see giant pandas’ debut at Zoo Atlanta. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.