Michigan zoo’s rare black rhino dies after illness: ‘She will never be forgotten’

LANSING, MI – Staff at Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo are mourning the death of a beloved critically endangered rhino.

Doppsee, a female eastern black rhino, died Wednesday about a month after she suffered a medical emergency . Staff had been providing around-the-clock medical treatment led by Director of Animal Health, Dr. Ronan Eustace.

A necropsy will be performed to determine the specific cause of her decline, but signs of multiple gastrointestinal obstructions, as well as gastric ulcers, were discovered during treatment.

“Doppsee was an incredible ambassador and meant the world to our team and our community,” a statement said. “In addition to the tremendous amount of information she provided to benefit her species through multiple research studies, her interaction with zoo guests youn