Rhino dies after cancer treatment fails

Dr Taina Strike said zoo staff were heartbroken after the death of Beluki, who had been at the zoo since 1998

One half of a pair of rhinos has died after an ultrasound scan revealed she had not responded well to cancer treatment.

Female greater one-horned rhinos Behan and Beluki, both 29, had been receiving treatment for tumours and cysts in their reproductive organs at Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire.

Vets using an ultrasound discovered Behan's large tumours had responded well to treatment and could "barely be seen at all".

Beluki, whose condition was more advanced when diagnosed, had not responded well to treatment and a decision was made to euthanise her to prevent further suffering.

Behan, one of the two rhinos scanned, has responded well to treatment

Dr Taina Strike, senior veterinary officer at Whipsnade Zoo, said it had been an "incredibly bittersweet day".

She said: "While Behan’s remarkable recovery has given us all hope, we, and her dedicated keepers, are heartbroken by the loss of Beluki, who has lived at Whipsnade Zoo since 1998.

“Beluki’s tumours were inoperable and impacting other organs, meaning her quality of life was only going to deteriorate - the kindest decision we could make was to euthanise her.”

Information gathered about Behan's treatment will be shared with conservationists around the world

Both rhinos had been receiving an immunocontraceptive vaccine twice a year, which should stop hormones from stimulating the tumours and shrink them.

The zoo said the condition was common in older female rhinos regardless of whether they lived in the wild or in conservation settings.

General anaesthetic was used on the pair so the zoo's veterinary team could examine them and assess the progress of the treatment.

Information gathered from both rhinos during their treatment will be added to a global database to assist conservation teams around the world.

The zoo added that a post-mortem examination took place on every animal that died at the site.

Dr Strike added: "We will continue to closely monitor Behan as she gets older – but for now, the ongoing treatment is working and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to put her condition into remission.

"As Behan ages, she will continue to help us understand the effectiveness of medications aimed at treating these conditions, and this vital information could ensure other rhinos will survive as she has.”