Dead zoo rhino found in backyard

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Dozens of sheep, three horses and a rhino were found rotting in a South Valley backyard for months, according to officials at the Bernalillo County Environmental Department. City officials conrfirmed the rhino was the body of the Biopark's beloved rhino, Sally.

Albuquerque Police and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to Reuben Saavedra's home near Coors and Arenal SW on Wednesday night in reference to the smell of something dead.

"It's just that dead rotting flesh smell," said neighbor Julie Evans. "I don't know where it was coming from. I was concerned it was a dead animal under my deck."

County environmental specialist Lucas Tafoya said it was hard to determine the exact number of dead animals found on Saavedra's property but many of the animals have been left decaying for months. He said there was no immediate health risk to the public.

"We can't give you an accurate number on that because of the stages of decomposition," Tafoya said. "They're in piles, so we're not going to dig through and find out how many animals there are."

Tafoya said Saavedra is a licensed contractor who is hired by different agencies to pick up animal carcasses and drop them off at the Cerro Colorado Landfill.

Albuquerque City Spokesman Chris Ramirez confirmed the dead rhino was the beloved zoo animal named Sally that was euthanized at age 44 last December. Ramirez said city officials turned Sally's body over to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to make sure the animal was disease-free before she was buried.

"We are just as saddened, we are just as surprised and outraged," Ramirez said.

Dr. R.J. Taylor with the Department of Agriculture said the agency hired Saavedra to dispose of the rhino properly. Taylor said Saavedra has been working with the department for four years.

"He provides a needed service and has always done a good job up until this point," said Taylor. "We're really disappointed this happened."

Saavedra said his wife has been sick and he has not been able to take animals to the landfill as often as he should.

But county officials said stockpiling animals is illegal. They're giving Saavedra a hard 24-hour deadline to get the carcasses out of the South Valley.

Saavedra could face hefty fines or jail time.

City officials said in an e-mail late Thursday evening that Sally the Rhino was finally given a respectful burial at the landfill.