Zoo de Granby, located just east of Montreal, Que., announced the death of Shaboola, a 45-year-old white rhinoceros. Shaboola was the first white rhino born in Canada at the Toronto Zoo on Oct. 13, 1979. She spent over three decades in Toronto before being relocated to Zoo de Granby in 2012, where she lived alongside KC, a nine-year-old male rhino.

The zoo described Shaboola as a gentle and calm animal, noting that many developed a deep attachment to her throughout her time at both Toronto Zoo and Zoo de Granby.

Shaboola, the oldest rhino in Canada and the third-oldest female in North America, had a life expectancy that typically reaches around 36 years. Despite her advanced age, which classified her as a geriatric animal, Shaboola had received special care, including treatments for arthritis, chronic foot problems, dental issues, and kidney failure.

In recent weeks, her health declined, making it difficult for animal experts to relieve her suffering. The zoo’s veterinarian, Dr. Cédric Larouche, says, “Regardless of her age, our priority has always been her well-being. Euthanasia is not a failure, quite the contrary: it is an essential tool among the care we can offer animals. It is also one of the most altruistic acts we can perform to prevent Shaboola from suffering further,”

The zoo has already started plans to introduce two new females to join KC, with hopes they will settle in Granby this spring.