One of Knowsley Safari Park's oldest rhinos dies

One of Knowsley Safari Park's oldest rhinos has died.

The white rhino, named Piglet, was aged about 40 and had been at the park for 31 years, the visitor attraction announced in a post on social media.

It said the "much-loved" female rhino had died peacefully from "age-related health issues" and would be missed by keepers and guests, as well as by the other rhinos.

White rhinos live in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya on floodplains, grassland and savannahs. They are an endangered species in the wild because they are threatened by poachers who want to trade their horns.

Rhinos live in a social group called a crash, which is mainly made up of females and their young calves.

A park spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our much-loved white rhino, Piglet.

"Piglet had been monitored by our keepers and vet for the last few weeks.

"Piglet was around 40 years old and was a popular part of Knowsley's rhino crash for 31 years.

"She had a peaceful end to a long and happy life at the safari park, and she will be sorely missed by her keepers, guests and the rest of her crash."

Knowsley Safari Park plays an important role in the conservation of the southern white rhino.

The park announced the birth of two babies in recent months.

Female Kamari and male Stanley were respectively born in November and March.

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