ASHEBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina Zoo says that a beloved rhinoceros named Stanley has died.
The zoo said in a news release that the 49-year-old southern white rhinoceros died Friday after suffering neurological symptoms and a suspected stroke in recent weeks. A sudden decline in his health this week prompted zookeepers' decision to humanely euthanize him.
Stan was born in South Africa in 1970 and had lived at a zoo in Asheboro since 1987.
Stacey Weatherly was Stan's lead zookeeper. She says her favorite memories include summer campers interacting with Stan and petting him.
In a Facebook post the zoo said:
"My fondest memories of Stan are the sunny summer days during a Zoo Snooze or Summer Camp tour. A dozen little camper hands would be giving him rubs while he munched on his favorite treats. The kids loved Stan which further created a love of rhinos around the world - those moments always made my heart smile the most." Stan's lead keeper Stacey Weatherly