"Rare White Rhino Treated for Mystery Illness in California"

"An aging northern white rhinoceros, one of just five left in the world, appeared to be responding to treatment of an unidentified bacterial infection that has veterinarians worried for a subspecies limping toward extinction, a California zoo said on Tuesday.

Nola, age 40, was showing signs of improvement after San Diego Zoo Safari Park keepers gave her antibiotics to ward off an illness whose symptoms on Monday included a runny nose, decreased appetite and lethargy, a zoo spokeswoman said.

'She seems to be feeling better today, she has been walking around and eating,' said Darla Davis, a zoo spokeswoman. 'The vets think she is responding to antibiotics.'"

Marty Graham reports for Reuters December 30, 2014.