Zimbabwe: Rhino featured on TV killed after poacher shooting

JOHANNESBURG – Zimbabwe's wildlife authority says veterinary surgeons have been forced to put down a rhino that was featured on a wildlife television series Karina: Wild On Safari, days after it was shot by poachers.

The eight-year-old rhino named Ntombi was shot last Tuesday in southern Zimbabwe. Caroline Washaya-Moyo, spokeswoman for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, said Ntombi survived the wounds for close to a week. But the spokeswoman said surgeons had to make the "very painful" decision to euthanize her during the weekend.

Washaya-Moyo said bullets lodged deep into two of her legs meant she could no longer support herself.

Zimbabwe, which teems with wildlife, is constantly battling poachers who target mainly elephants and rhinos. Poachers killed over 150 rhinos in Zimbabwe in the past five years.