A popular long-time resident of the North Carolina Zoo has died. Stanley was a well-known southern white rhinoceros who enjoyed attention from guests and keepers. He was born in South Africa but has called the North Carolina Zoo home for more than 30 years.
He had been suffering neurological symptoms and a suspected stroke in recent weeks. A sudden decline in his health prompted zookeepers' decision to humanely euthanize him last week.
Stanley was 49 years old, a longer life than many of his peers. White rhinos typically live into their 30s in the wild and the early 40s in captivity, zoo officials say.
Southern rhinos were once hunted to near extinction. Researchers say there are now about 20,000 remaining in the wild, but they face ongoing threats from habitat loss and poaching.