Granby Zoo: Oldest white rhino in Canada has died

Granby Zoo announced the passing of Shaboola, a 45-year-old female white rhinoceros, after a decline in her health in recent weeks. Shaboola, who was the first white rhinoceros born in Canada at the Toronto Zoo, was the oldest white rhinoceros in a Canadian zoo and the third-oldest female rhinoceros in North America.

“She was undoubtedly a star animal at the zoo, dear to the hearts of the employees and the large community of our zoological institution,” the zoo wrote in a news release. “Her medical condition having deteriorated in recent weeks, significantly affecting her quality of life, the decision was made by our animal-care experts to gently lead her to her last breath.” 

“Shaboo,” as she was called, became known for her calm and gentle temperament, making her a favourite among carers in both Toronto and Granby, where she moved in 2012. 

In a post in July 2024, the Toronto Zoo said Shaboola’s kind nature made her a “fantastic” animal on which new care staff could learn. She also served a mother/grandmother role to a younger male rhino named Tom, “putting him in his place gently and teaching him rhino manners,” the Toronto Zoo wrote.

The decision to euthanize Shaboola was made by the zoo’s veterinary team after her condition deteriorated, affecting her quality of life.

Shaboola had been living with suspected osteoarthritis for nearly a decade and had been receiving ongoing pain management. She also suffered from chronic foot issues that required multiple surgical procedures. Over time, her mobility decreased, and she experienced further complications, including severe dental problems and chronic kidney failure.

In a statement, Dr. Cédric Larouche, a veterinarian at the Granby Zoo, explained that despite the ongoing care provided to Shaboola, her quality of life continued to decline. “Euthanasia, in this case, was a decision made with her well-being in mind,” said Dr. Larouche. “It is an important tool in animal care and, in Shaboola’s case, it was necessary to prevent further suffering.”

White rhinos are considered near-threatened, with a population of about 16,800 across Africa as of the end of 2022, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Granby is part of a network of dozens of zoos working to try to save the animals, which are hunted by poachers in the wild for their horns.

—With files from The Canadian Press