KEY POINTS:
Auckland Zoo's much loved rhino, Mandhla, who suffered neurological failure causing him to go blind last November, was put down today following a dramatic deterioration in his condition.
The 28-year-old rhino suffered a prolapsed penis yesterday, meaning he was no longer able to urinate.
Veterinary staff at the zoo were able to insert a catheter under anaesthetic last night but Mandhla's condition had not improved by this morning and zoo vet Dr John Potter said his condition was irreversible.
A post-mortem is to be carried out this afternoon.
Dr Potter said Mandhla's neurological problem was first diagnosed almost a year ago when he began to show signs of urinary incontinence.
"Examinations at the time showed the condition was neurological, rather than due to a separate bladder problem. Then last November, he suddenly became blind," said Dr Potter in a statement released by Auckland Zoo.
"This problem would have been caused by a worsening of this same neurological problem, and we all felt that it was in Mandhlas best interests to humanely put him to sleep."
Mandhla was born at San Diego Zoo in 1979 and has been at Auckland Zoo for 27 of his 28 years.
"He was one of our long-term residents, who definitely became something of an icon and was a much-loved animal. He is going to be sadly missed by both staff and visitors," said Auckland Zoo curator, Brooke Noonan.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
