LOSS OF THE LISBON RHINOCEROS/ - - - We are extremely sorry about the total loss of the vessel we sent to Rome, which was carrying on board an Indian rhinoceros as well as other gifts for our Holy Father, and which has caused us great displeasure. You are to tell His Holiness that was only a few days ago that we received this news, and of the great unhappiness which we feel, because the animal at the time it was brought to us was so novel, never before seen in these parts, and hardly to be found in books, and because of the manner in which it was sent to us, we appraised it, and the estimated value was more than one hundred thousand doubloons.../ - - - In 1516 an Indian rhinoceros was sent by sea to Pope Leo X from King Manuel I of Portugal. The rhinoceros along with the other treasures sank to the bottom of the Mediterranean. News of the loss was sent by the king to his ambassador at Rome, Dom Miguel da Silva on 11 August, 1516. From THE POPE'S ELEPHANT by Silvio A. Bedini, Penguin Books, 2000.