CHICAGO — Ricko, a 25-year-old male eastern black rhinoceros, died Friday at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, officials said.
The rhinoceros has been at the zoo since arriving in 2009 from a zoo in Birmingham, Alabama, WLS-TV reported.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the loss of Ricko,” zoo officials announced in a Facebook post, adding that the animal died “despite extensive treatment and supportive care. “He was always eager to interact with his keepers during positive reinforcement training sessions and enjoyed interacting with enrichment.”
Zoo officials said Ricko died of “an acute illness,” according to the Facebook post.
“We invite you to share fond memories of Ricko,” zoo officials wrote. “Our sympathies to Animal Care and Veterinary staff who cared for Ricko, and to everyone to whom he was special.”