Four white rhinos die at Dubbo Zoo‎, Australia

OUR white rhinoceroses, including a calf, have died of a mystery virus at Dubbo’s Taronga Park Western Plains Zoo.

The rhinos reportedly died in recent days after showing neurological abnormalities, such as stumbling, sparking an urgent veterinary investigation and the immediate quarantining of three remaining white rhinos.

The four dead animals were either imported, or the progeny of, rhinos imported from South Africa’s Kruger National Park in 2003.

No other animals, including the zoo’s display of nine black rhinos, have been affected by the virus.

Veterinarians at the zoo are in round-the-clock contact with rhinoceros specialist in Africa and North America.

Tests to date reportedly have ruled out Hendra virus, exposure to toxins, snakebite and bacterial infection as among the causes of death. Source