Margaret, the white rhinoceros rescued by Prince Rainier III in the mid-1980s, has died at the age of 43, prompting a wave of emotion in Monaco and beyond…
As reported by Monaco Matin, Margaret passed away peacefully during the night over Christmas, at the African Safari Zoo near Toulouse, where she had been living for more than twenty years. Her death was confirmed following a sudden deterioration in her condition, with an autopsy citing age-related lesions affecting the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Margaret’s story is closely intertwined with Monaco’s modern history. After spending time in a travelling menagerie, she was taken in by Prince Rainier III in 1986 and became a resident of the Rainier III Zoological Garden, which now bears his name. For fifteen years, she was one of the park’s most striking and beloved inhabitants, admired as much for her calm temperament as for her imposing presence.
The director of the Monaco park described her as an “extraordinary rhinoceros,” recalling her gentleness despite her size and the strong bond she formed with her caretakers. Prince Rainier, he noted, held a particular affection for her.
In 2001, Margaret was transferred to France to enjoy greater space and semi-freedom, completing a life marked by care, respect, and a lasting connection to the Principality.
Image of Margaret with her keeper Patrick.
