Rosie, the Columbus Zoo’s last rhino, dies
Rosie, a black rhinoceros who had lived in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium since 2009 and was the only resident rhinoceros, was euthanized Monday morning.
At nearly 31 years, Rosie had well exceeded the median life expectancy of 19 years for a black rhinoceros living in zoo captivity, the zoo said in a release Monday night announcing her death.
Rosie was in rapidly declining health and was suffering from several geriatric issues like hypertension and arthritis, according to the release.
“The loss of any animal is hard, but Rosie’s passing weighs especially heavy on our hearts today as she was special to many. I can’t imagine anyone not experiencing an emotional connection with Rosie when they saw her up close,” Tom Stalf, Columbus Zoo president and CEO, said in the prepared statement.
Rosie was the only rhino at the Columbus Zoo. Future plans for the rhino habitat will be shared once more information is known.
Though rhinos are known for being solitary creatures, Rosie loved to interact with humans and enjoyed snacking on apples. She was cooperative with her care staff when they would collect blood or brush her teeth, the release said.
Rosie also was known for her artistic skills as she painted with her prehensile upper lip, the zoo’s release said.
Born at the San Francisco Zoo on January 6, 1990, Rosie arrived at the Columbus Zoo on November 12, 2009 from Zoo Atlanta through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) program
Almost 98% of the world’s total black rhino population is found in four countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Currently, there are estimated to be approximately 5,000 black rhinos remaining in their native range.
While Rosie did not produce any calves, the zoo said she contributed to important research for rhino reproduction.
jwoods@dispatch.com