Ailing Safari Park Rhino Undergoes Second Procedure This Month

Nola, one of only four northern white rhinos left in the world, underwent a medical procedure at the Safari Park Thursday.

This is Nola’s second procedure this month. Vets are treating the endangered rhino for an abscess on her hip, which has plagued her since May.

Originally the abscess seemed to heal with antibiotics, but in late summer it reemerged. Since her procedure earlier this month she has been once again on antibiotics and keepers are flushing the abscess site daily.

During Thursday’s procedure keepers opened the abscess site to allow it to drain and ease built-up pressure that can cause pain. A fine needle aspiration, skin samples, and blood tests were also taken.

“We are treating Nola for a bacterial infection on her right hip,” stated Dr. Jim Oosterhuis, principal veterinarian at the Safari Park. “The inside of the abscess is very hard, and we want to determine what may be causing this. At this point, we simply don’t know. Our main priority now is to keep Nola comfortable; we will continue to monitor her and keep her on her daily treatment plan until we know more or until the abscess properly heals.”

Vets gave Nola, 41, a mild sedation during treatment and keepers rubbed her back and ears to keep her comfortable. Afterwards the elderly animal was able to roam around her habitat as usual. While the abscess is sore to the touch she seems to be feeling well and is eating and walking normally. Results from tests are expected within two weeks.

Northern white rhinos have been hunted to near extinction for their horns, which are believed in some cultures to possess healing powers.

The Safari Park is also using science to fight the rhino’s extinction. The Frozen Zoo, in collaboration with the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, is a genetic project to help save endangered species.

The zoo has viable stem cells taken from twelve white rhinos to restore genetic variation. The rhino stem cells, first saved in 1979, can be used to reproduce any tissue in the rhino’s body, the zoo says.

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