13-y-o black rhino dies in accident at Tallinn Zoo

Kigoma died as a result of an accident at Tallinn Zoo around noon on Monday. Photo: Inari Leiman

Kigoma, a 13-year-old male black rhinoceros, died as a result of an accident at Tallinn Zoo around noon on Monday after wedging his head between two metal poles and not being able to free himself.

Both of the two rhinos of Tallinn Zoo, Kigoma and Kibibi, were moved to a rebuilt temporary ground in the zoo's hoofed animals building last week to enable repairs to the rhino enclosure floors in the thick-skinned animals building, spokespeople for the zoo said.

The temporary site, formerly an area for young elephants, was adapted for rhinos and an attempt was made to eliminate any risks that could pose a threat to the animals. Kibibi and Kigoma have been under round-the-clock surveillance by caretakers and veterinarians since last week, and the caretakers noted that Kigoma was calm in his new home and no anxiety was observed in his behavior.

Unfortunately, around noon on Monday, Kigoma unpredictably stood up against a smooth partition wall and got his head and horns caught between two metal bars. Zookeepers and veterinarians immediately took steps to help him, but freeing a 1.2 ton animal is no easy task. The metal bar was cut, but it was too late -- the rhino died.

The male rhinoceros born in 2010, who was brought to Tallinn Zoo in 2013, was a peaceful and sometimes timid animal, according to the zoo.

The zoo described the tragic demise of Kigoma is a shock to all of their employees, comparable to the loss of a family member.