The 6-year-old white rhino died on Jan. 27, 2019, after a long illness.
Maryland Zoo staff and visitors were surprised by Jaharo’s sudden death last Sunday of complications from anemia. Jaharo only came to the zoo in 2017, to replace Daisy Mae, a 48-year-old female white rhino and former companion to Stubby. Jaharo and Stubby spent time getting to know each from behind barriers before they met face-to-face. It was just a short time later that Jaharo was diagnosed with a hemolytic blood disease.
Image courtesy of The Maryland Zoo, Facebook
The white rhino had been eating and drinking normally for the past few weeks, said Mike McClure, general curator at the Zoo.
“On Sunday, his condition went into decline very rapidly and our efforts to stabilize him were not successful. He was truly a favorite of staff and visitors alike with his personable attitude and willingness to train. Jaharo will really be missed at the African Watering Hole.”
Jaharo had suspected immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, a disease that causes the immune system to attack and kill red blood cells. Dr. Ellen Bronson, Senior Director of Animal Health at The Maryland Zoo said the disease has not been seen before in a white rhinoceros.
“We consulted with many different rhino experts, veterinary specialists, and other experts around the country to develop a course of treatment for him specifically.”
His team was able to manage the anemia, and Jaharo was feeling better. Unfortunately, the anemia returned in early January, and Jaharo was no longer able to battle the disease.
Zoo officials will work with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to decide whether or not to find another companion for 24-year-old Stubby, the remaining white rhinoceros. The white rhinoceros is almost completely extinct in the wild. Jaharo was born in 2012 at The Wilds, a nonprofit conservation center in Cumberland, Ohio.
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