Zoo Atlanta’s First-Born White Rhino Dies After Brief Illness

Zuri’s health and behavior worsened sharply earlier in the week, and blood tests showed severe anemia. Zoo Atlanta’s veterinary team treated her with intensive care, giving her a critical blood infusion with matching blood supplied by Dakari, an adult female rhino, along with contributions from other facilities. Zuri’s condition kept deteriorating, and she died on November 6.

Born at the zoo on Christmas Eve in 2023, Zuri was the first offspring of Kiazi and Mumbles. Her name, which can mean “beautiful” in Swahili, was chosen through a zoo naming contest. She spent much of her time with Dakari, described by the zoo as her aunt.

Sam Rivera, the zoo’s vice president of animal health, called Zuri’s death a devastating loss and said it was too early to identify a specific cause. The zoo will perform a post-mortem examination in collaboration with the University of Georgia’s Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service, with preliminary findings expected in several weeks. Zoo staff are monitoring Dakari and Kiazi closely and giving them extra care as they adjust to Zuri’s absence. Southern white rhinos are classified as Near Threatened; poaching for their horns is a threat to the species.