Archie the Southern White Rhino (1969-2025)
Obituary
Archie passed away in March as the oldest male southern white rhino in captivity.
Archie, a 55-year-old southern white rhino, died from cancer at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Florida in March 2025. Archie was the oldest male southern white rhino in captivity. He was held at the zoo for nearly 50 years.
Archie was at the center of several high-profile Animal Welfare Act violations at the Jacksonville Zoo. In 2010, Archie (who weighed 4,000 pounds) escaped from his enclosure. Staff had to shoot him with a sedative and drag him back. It was his second escape attempt. In 2019, he hit an employee with his horn during what was described as a “routine training session.” The employee was hospitalized overnight. The federal government issued a nearly $15,000 fine for workplace safety violations. These incidents underscore the public safety issues inherent in keeping wild animals in captivity for entertainment.
Archie was held with only two other rhinos who still remain at the zoo. White rhinos are social and live in herds of up to 12 rhinos. The zoo bred Archie frequently so more rhinos could be exhibited at zoos across the country. He had 14 children and many grandchildren.
Rhinos are under severe pressure in the wild. Hunting for the rhino horn trade and climate change are driving rhinos to extinction. The IUCN Red List classifies southern white rhinos as near threatened. World Animal Protection urges everyone who loves rhinos to avoid zoos and enjoy them in the wild or at accredited sanctuaries.
