KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WVLT) – Officers on the Knoxville Zoo introduced the passing of Polly, a southern white rhinoceros.

Polly was euthanized Friday morning as a result of poor well being. The 54-year-old rhino was being handled for age-related ache and motion problems, zoo officers stated.

Her well being started to deteriorate quickly in the previous few days and her care workforce determined to euthanize her so she might endure no extra struggling.

“The zoo has been right here for 74 years, and Polly has been right here for 46 of these years,” stated Phil Colkrow, Director of Animal Care, Conservation and Training. “She is a part of the Knoxville Zoo. Throughout the breeding season, she helped make Knoxville one of the crucial profitable southern white rhino breeding applications within the nation. Polly has at all times been a symbolic ambassador to lift consciousness concerning the relentless poaching of untamed rhinos in Africa for the aim of unlawful wildlife trafficking. I left a legacy that I’m pleased with.”

Polly was one of many oldest rhinos in america, officers stated. She got here to the Knoxville Zoo in her 1976 and gave start to her 10 calves in her lifetime.

Zoo officers reported that every one of her kids joined different herds and had offspring of their very own.

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