Declining health causes Racine Zoo staff to put down black rhinoceros

By Journal Times staff

Tuesday, November 7, 2006 2:10 AM CST

RACINE - The Racine Zoo announced Monday that it humanely euthanized Moja, a male eastern black rhinoceros who lived at the Racine Zoo since June 2002, last week after the rhino endured declining health for more than a year.

"We had been monitoring his health issues and they were deteriorating severely," said Jay R. Christie, the zoo's president and chief executive officer, in a press release. "After extensive consultation and evaluation with leading rhino experts across the nation, it was determined that Moja would not recover."

The University of Wisconsin is performing a necropsy to learn more about the rhino's health issues. A necropsy is the equivalent of a human autopsy. Christie said the results will not be available for several weeks.

The decision to obtain another rhino has not been made. A species survival group internationally controls the breeding of many zoo animals, including rhinos, and it makes recommendations on placements, Christie said.

The Racine Zoo is currently home to Timu, a 4-year-old female eastern black rhino.

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