Veterinarians concerned about northern white rhino at San Diego Safari Park

Worrisome news from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Nola, the aging northern white rhino, underwent a medical procedure Thursday for an abscess on her right hip and has been placed on antibiotics.

At 41, Nola is geriatric and has been treated for several age-related ailments, including arthritis. She is one of only four northern white rhinos in the world; the others are in a preserve in Kenya.

The Safari Park’s male northern white rhino, Angalifu, died in December at 44.

A biopsy was done on Nola’s hip to determine what caused the abscess, said Jeff Zuba, senior veterinarian at the Safari Park.

Tissue, fluid and blood samples were taken and will be tested. Meanwhile, Nola is being closely monitored.

In May, Nola required treatment for an abscess on the same hip. But zookeepers had been pleased that the abscess appeared to heal with wound flushing and antibiotics.

Then last week, the abscess reemerged and zookeepers noted a swelling around her hip bone.

Nola is set to spend Thursday night in her barn (called a boma) but is expected to return to her field habitat on Friday where she can be seen by the public. She is eating and walking normally.

“Nola was an exceptional patient, as usual,” Zuba said.

Twitter: @LATsandiego

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