Popular black rhino killed by alleged poachers in Zimbabwe

A popular eight-year-old black rhino at Matobo National Park in southern Zimbabwe had to be put down after poachers mortally wounded it, local media reported Monday.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Caroline Washaya-Moyo said that the rhino, known as "Ntombi", was shot by five suspected poachers.

She said the wounded rhino was later recovered by Zimparks rangers who, with assistance from veterinary surgeons, euthanized it because the injuries were too severe.

Ntombi left behind a 13-month-old calf which was her first born.

"We want to appeal to all including the international community for donations to assist rangers who risk their lives to fight the war against rhino poachers. Investigations are continuing," Washaya-Moyo said.

The 44,500 hectare Matobo National Park, which was established in 1953 and has an exclusive "Intensive Protection Zone" to protect the large population of black and white rhinoceros.

It is estimated that there are about 5,000 black rhinos left alive in the wild around the world with Zimbabwe having about 750.

Zimbabwean wildlife made headlines last year when a prized lion known as Cecil was shot dead by American hunter Walter Palmer, raising an international outcry. Enditem