THE deaths of four white rhinos at Dubbo's Taronga Western Plains Zoo has baffled veterinary staff and initiated an immediate veterinary investigation.

The rhinos were reported to have died suddenly after showing some neurological abnormalities, such as stumbling.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s senior vet Benn Bryant with hand-raised white rhino calf Amira, photographed in April 2005. Amira was one of four rhinos that died suddenly at the zoo. Credit:Dubbo Daily Liberal

The surviving animals have been quarantined at the zoo.

The zoo's general manager, Matt Fuller, said the veterinary team was working around the clock and consulting with rhinoceros specialists in Africa and North America, as well as specialist government virologists, government vet services, pathology laboratories and specialists.