Australia: Unknown illness kills four Taronga Western Plains Zoo white rhinos

[Emily]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1226305985192

Mystery illness kills four Taronga Western Plains Zoo white rhinos

Samantha Townsend
The Daily Telegraph
March 21, 2012 1:51PM

FOUR white rhinoceroses have died at Taronga Western Plains Zoo after showing some neurologic abnormalities including stumbling.
[snip]
Extensive tissue samples have been taken from the four rhinos that died to determine the cause of their sudden death at Western Plains Zoo.

The zoo has ruled out many causes of death including bacterial infection, toxins in the rhinos environment or feed and many types of viruses....

[Pathfinder]

Re: Australia: Unknown illness kills four Taronga Western Plains Zoo white rhinos

Zoo saddened by the passing of White Rhinos

Wednesday 21st March 2012

Taronga Western Plains Zoo has been saddened by the recent loss of four White Rhinos that died suddenly after showing some neurologic abnormalities such as stumbling.

The Zoo immediately initiated a veterinary investigation to pinpoint the cause of the deaths. Its veterinary team is working around the clock and consulting with Rhinoceros specialists in Africa and North America, specialist government virologists, government vet services as well as pathology laboratories and specialists.

So far the investigation has ruled out exposure to toxins, bacterial infection, snake venom and organ failure as causes of death.

Currently tests are underway to investigate possible viral causes, although several types including Hendravirus and West Nile virus have also been ruled out.

Zoo Vets are currently awaiting results from an array of further tests.
As a precaution, the White Rhinos have been removed from display and placed in a quarantine area at the zoo. They are being closely monitored by keeping staff and the veterinary team.

No other species have been affected by the illness and other animals at the zoo are healthy.

Zoo General Manager Matt Fuller said:

?Obviously the Rhino keepers and veterinary staff know and care for every individual in the herd, so this has been a huge shock and we?re all very sad and supporting each other through this difficult time.

Our focus is on continuing this investigation to pinpoint the cause of the sickness and to care for the remaining animals in the herd.?

http://taronga.org.au/news/2012-03-21/zoo-saddened-passing-white-rhinos

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Update on illness causing White Rhino deaths at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Wednesday 21st March 2012

Staff at Taronga Western Plains Zoo have been grateful for the many messages of support received from the public following the recent sad loss of four White Rhinos.

Zoo General Manager Matt Fuller said: ? Right now the staff are fully focussed on providing care to our remaining White Rhinos and progressing the veterinary investigation, but the messages of sympathy from the community have been passed on and these are really appreciated.

?Our inquiries are in full swing and we?ve been able to rule out many causes of death, including bacterial infection, toxins in the Rhinos? environment or feed, and many types of viruses.

?However, it?s a complex investigation, as it relies on a whole array of testing and the subsequent results. We know that the illness relates to a neurological abnormality and we?ve taken extensive tissue samples. For some answers we now have to wait for histopathology results, which may be available next week, but also virology cultures which can take several weeks to grow for identification.

As soon as we have any further results to report, we will do so. I can confirm that no other species have been affected by the illness.
In the mean time, I know that people will understand that our focus must be dedicated to animal care and furthering our enquiries to understand the cause of this illness.?

http://taronga.org.au/news/2012-03-21/update-illness-causing-white-rhino-deaths-at-taronga-western-plains-zoo