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The body condition of this rhino based on previous condition scoring in the black rhinoceros (Adcock, 2001) was estimated to be ~ 3 out of 5.

The urinary bladder wall was thickened and abnormal in appearance and therefore a second exam was scheduled (3 September) to closely evaluate Minah’s bladder. The mucosal surface of the urinary bladder had an increased echogenic pattern as well as a possible intraluminal mass of unknown origin (Figures 1, 2 and 3). Based on Minah’s history of a failed recovery of an intravaginal CIDR, an endoscopic exam of Minah’s bladder was scheduled to identify and remove any abnormal mass or foreign body (Figures 4,5 and 6).

Immediate Plan:

An endoscopic exam of Minah’s bladder was conduced on 5 September 2001 at Sungai Dusun. The results of this exam are detailed below and may help explain the abnormal signs that Minah had shown in the past year including her apparent acyclicity. A urinalysis was also conducted on Minah and several other females for comparison (Table 1). The results of the urinalysis confirmed a cystitis (bladder infection) in Minah as evidenced by the numerous white blood cells, casts and bacteria identified.

Based on the findings of normal reproductive anatomy together with the lack of any significant ovarian activity, Minah was given a dose of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH):

500 micrograms (IM in the left neck) at 10 am on the 30^th of August 2001

Following this therapy, it will be critical to perform follow-up reproductive monitoring of Minah via ultrasound and serum progesterone assay. See detailed recommendations for Minah outlined in Appendix B.

Table 1. Urinalysis of female Sumatran rhinoceros, Sungai Dusun.

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