Nola was a female Northern white rhinoceros that lived at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in San Diego, California.

The rhinoceros was one of only four living northern white rhinoceroses alive today and the only female in the Western World, including North America, South America, and Europe. She died on November 22, 2015.

She was wild caught in the Shambe area, which is located “in the southern savanna woodlands of Sudan.

Nola was rescued from the violent poaching that is prevalent in that region when she was only a few years old.”

Her age upon capture has been estimated more closely at being 18 months old. She belonged to the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic, but since 1989 she had been on loan in San Diego.

She lived at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s South Africa field habitat.

Nola was in the same enclosure as her counterpart Angalifu, but he was moved to the Central Africa field habitat at the zoo before his death on December 14, 2014.

Her lead keeper at the zoo was Jane Kennedy.

While at the zoo, she had been described by PBS as “independent and aggressive”.

A photographer who shot the photos of Nola numerous times stated, “As any rhino might, Nola enjoys her daily belly scratches and neck rubs, carrots, and the occasional bucket of apples.

Nola spends her days indulging in the warm Southern California weather sunbathing.”

She shared her enclosure with other African animals, including Cape Buffalo, giraffes and gazelles.

Irv Erdos, a writer for the The San Diego Union-Tribune, endorsed the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy’s mission to bring animals back from the brink of extinction, specifically mentioning Nola.

Erdos stated that he has visited The rhinoceros”at least a dozen times.”

Nola had been under veterinary care for a bacterial infection, as well as age-related health issues.

Her health rapidly declined over a 24 hour period and the decision was made to euthanize her.

Nola passed away at age 41 in November 2015.