It is with heavy hearts that we have to report the death of Stanley on Friday 15 February 2019, the oldest male Southern White Rhino that has resided in North Carolina Zoo for 32 years.

Stanley was not feeling very well during the past months: he has lived in a non-public area for some years with his long term companion, Olivia, who is 51 years old.

The two arrived together in North Carolina Zoo in 1987 with the aim to generate offspring: unfortunately, it never happened, since probably they grew too close to each other. We highlight that is very difficult to breed Southern White Rhinos in a couple: the female needs bigger groups (even if there are some exceptions like Tim and Kayla from Fresno Chaffee Zoo, that have recently welcomed their second calf).

Stanley was a favorite in the zoo: he also had a private Facebook Page called “Stanley Rhino”. He acted as an important ambassador for its species, helping people to know the importance of rhinos in the wild and the perils they undergo because of poaching.

Stanley will be greatly missed.