(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Brookfield Zoo announced that one of its eastern black rhinos was euthanized Wednesday.
Zoo workers said Nakili was a favorite among the animal care staff, volunteers, and visitors, and had a “great disposition.”
He arrived at Brookfield in 1994 at the age of 4, and had lived there for nearly three decades.
At 33, he was the oldest male of his species living in North America.
Over the years, Nakili was featured in zoo chats, which educated the public on black rhinos and the plight the critically endangered species faces in its native habitat of Africa.
In the zoo's announcement, officials wrote that Nakili had "the best head tilt when he wanted something."
"Even though he was close to 3,000 pounds, Nakili was a bit hesitant and needed extra encouragement to try or do something new," officials said. "He definitely leaves a big, loveable hole in the hearts of those who cared for him."
Nakili was diagnosed with a kidney disease in August 2022, and officials said the difficult decision was made to euthanize him before his comfort and quality of life began declining.
Officials said the eastern black rhinoceros is the most endangered of the three black rhino species, with an estimated population of only 740 individuals remaining in Africa.
Poaching has continued to be the primary threat to the species' survival. Zoo officials wrote that the horn is used for medicinal and ornamental purposes.
Currently, 24 zoos affiliated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums are home to eastern black rhinos, including the Brookfield Zoo, which has a female named Layla.
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