Zoo Atlanta’s first southern white rhino calf dies at 2
Incident Date:
11/06/2026
Location:
Atlanta, GA - USA
Facility Name:
Zoo Atlanta
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Other
Animal:
White Rhino
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
ATLANTA, GA – Zuri, the first southern white rhino born at Zoo Atlanta, has died after a brief illness.
Despite intensive treatment and an emergency blood transfusion, the zoo said that the 2-year-old female died Friday, Nov. 6, after a sharp decline in her health and behavior. Blood tests showed severe anemia, according to the zoo.
Veterinarians treated Zuri with compatible blood from Dakari, an adult female rhino at Zoo Atlanta, and blood donated by other accredited facilities. Her condition continued to worsen despite that care. The cause of her illness has not been determined.
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