Our Animals
Rhino Memorial
On Tuesday, January 26, 2004, I was visiting with Rhino, perhaps the largest lion in
captivity and the heart and soul of the International Exotic Feline Sanctuary. I saw a
change in Rhino that caused alarm and dread, for he seemed to be in pain and, after
greeting me at the gate, walked away and lay down some distance away. Never before had
Rhino left my side when I entered his habitat, except to stroll to his water container
for an occasional drink. I immediately contacted Richard Gilbreth, the Executive Director,
and he in turn contacted our veterinarian.
Rhino was a 17 year-old approximately 800 pound male lion. Someone that had tried to tame him by neutering him and declawing him had owned him, and when that apparently didn’t work, he was abandoned at a vet clinic. He was later placed at the Sanctuary by the Central Texas Wildlife organization at about one year of age.
Rhino’s huge size and imposing demeanor was always a symbol of the wildness and
respectful majesty possessed by these wonderful beings. Even though he didn’t have a
mane due to his neutering, he demanded everyone’s respect and awe. He required commitment
on the part of any human in order to earn the right to be in his presence, as he would
rush his fence and roar at any individual whom he didn’t know that ventured too close
to his property. Earning his respect was the mission of all who worked, interned, or
volunteered at the Sanctuary. Those few that accomplished this goal felt quite honored.
After a long period of protected interaction with Rhino from outside his enclosure, I ventured into unprotected contact with him approximately five years ago. I sensed that he did want a closer relationship, and I wanted to do whatever I could to improve his life in captivity, since he had been dealt a cruel hand of abandonment and mutilation prior to his arrival at the Sanctuary. We developed a close friendship immediately, and this gentle giant would always greet me at his gate upon my arrival. Knowing he could crush me with his huge size by accident just by pushing me against the fence, he would always lie down after a few minutes of greeting and scratching at the gate. I would then sit beside him and stroke his immense head, while looking into the softest, most soulful eyes one can imagine on any being. He would often lick my face or arm with his massive tongue, and even the roughness of his tongue was somehow comforting and gentle.
He had a gentle but playful nature, and his favorite game was to manipulate me into
a position whereby he could get up and put either his paw or head between the gate and
fence before I could close the gate. Then he would stroll into the inner area between
the outer and inner gate, checking out part of this newfound treasure while looking at
me with a satisfied grin that definitely imparted the fact he knew that he
had "won the game," that day. He would look at various items in this area, completely
oblivious to the many things I did to get his attention and lead him out of the area.
After he had satisfied himself that he had sufficiently frustrated me and had his fun,
he would slowly walk back into his habitat and rub up against me, then lie down with a
satisfied grunt.
Dr. Moore took blood and urine samples and immediately began doing extensive testing. As the tests began to come back without reflecting any obvious illness, the probably of a growing tumor became apparent. Rhino was in obvious discomfort, lying down all day, except to get up for an occasional drink of water. I spent every possible minute I could with him during this period, anticipating the inevitable and wanting to both comfort him and to cherish every moment I could in his company. Despite his pain, he was even more gentle and loving than ever. I would sit beside his head, occasionally stroking it and talking to him, and he would occasionally turn his head and give me a gentle lick in return. I would try to feed him by hand, and the times he would take any food, it was with incredible gentleness, as if he were more worried about harming me than getting nourishment.
When I got the call on February 16, 2004, that he had taken his last breath, I felt I
had lost one of my dearest, most cherished friends. I went to the Sanctuary the next
day, and spent several hours saying my goodbyes, perhaps one of the most difficult
days of my life.
Rhino was a towering figure, both literally and figuratively, at the Sanctuary. He will never be replaced in that capacity, Nor will he ever be forgotten. Nor should he be.
Louis Dorfman
