At 54 years old, Pedro, the oldest white rhino in Europe He died this Monday at the Barcelona Zoo due to his advanced age. Those responsible for the Barcelona zoo have made that clear in recent weeks The animal was weakened by its advanced age and deteriorating health.

Pedro lands in Barcelona on December 2, 2003, from another zoological facility. In year 1972 was moved from South Africa to Spain. Since his arrival at Barcelona Zoo, his keepers have described him as a Be calm and very friendly. Because it’s his advanced age, the animal has received an attention specialized geriatrics to reduce the pain and joint problems he suffers from.

Given that The maximum life expectancy of a white rhino is between 40 and 50 yearsPedro This may be one of the oldest specimens of this 800 species in the world. Currently, there are 339 specimens registered at the center European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA).

Thank you for geriatric care offered by Barcelona zoowhether Pedro or other animals such as elephants often experience the same joint problems, this facility is a leading place in geriatric medicinemedical specialty carried out jointly with Zoo Animal Welfare Education Center of the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

A reference to its endangered species

Pedro belongs Southern white rhinoceros subspeciesspecies classified as almost threatened with extinction in International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and for that there is a conservation program from the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Although this species is, to date, in the serious danger of extinction Because illegal hunting to get rhino horn, that species must be taken Better has recovered its population in recent years Thanks to strict protection which has been set. Until recently, I lived alone in South Africa, however it has recently been reintroduced to other habitats in the region such as Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya or Zimbabwe.