San Diego's Endangered Rhino Nola Is Being Monitored Closely

The 41-year-old rhino’s right hip began swelling last week, staff said.

One of only five northern white rhinos left on the planet is being watched closely by zoo staff in San Diego after a medical procedure this weekend.

Nola is on antibiotics and being monitored after a surgery at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Saturday.

The 41-year-old rhino’s right hip began swelling last week, staff said. Surgeons removed a growth that appeared to be causing the swelling.

"We were able to flush the area with sterile saline and will wait on tests results to determine what is going on with Nola," associate veterinarian Meredith Clancy said in a zoo news release.

She added that the elderly rhino was a great patient, allowing the veterinarians access to the affected area while walking through the park grounds.

Test results of fluid and tissue samples should be available next week or within two weeks.

Five months ago, Nola was returned to the field after undergoing treatment for a nasal infection. She also has a special heating system in her exhibit to help her with arthritis.

All five living northern white rhinos are all non-reproductive, zoo officials said. Three are in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya and one is in the Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic.
 

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