Last male Northern White Rhino dies
Sudan, the last living male of the Northern White Rhino species, has passed away of old age.
Sudan, the 45-year-old last remaining male Northern White Rhino, has died. The species is now on the brink of extinction with only two females left.
"If there is meaning in Sudan’s passing, it’s that all hope is not lost. This can be our wake-up call." Photographer @Amivee chronicled the final moments of Sudan's life and surmises what his death means for others of his kind. https://t.co/Yt5sQjGRI9#SudanForever
— Ol Pejeta (@OlPejeta) March 22, 2018
According to News 24, in a statement released by Ol Pejeta Conservancy, "the 45-year-old rhino was euthanised on Monday after his condition 'worsened significantly,' and he was no longer able to stand. His muscles and bones had degenerated, and his skin had extensive wounds."
How sad that this fellow was the last of his kind!
Read: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park the worst affected in rhino poaching attacks
All efforts were made to keep the species alive with the help of two females - his daughter Najin, 27, and granddaughter Fatu, 17. Last year, he was listed as "The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World" on the Tinder dating app in a fundraising effort to fund an experimental in-vitro fertilization procedure.
Northern white rhinos used to roam central Africa, with an estimated population of 2,000 in 1960, according to the World Wildlife Fund. But conflict and poaching have driven the subspecies to the brink of extinction in the wild.
I can remember some years ago when you heard shocking stories of poaching day after day. Someone went so far as to say a rhino is something children will only see in books. I was alarmed at this statement, as happy memories of game park adventures flooded back.
Read: Project Rhino in KwaZulu Natal says the threat against our rhino population is still great
"One day, his demise will hopefully be seen as a seminal moment for conservationists worldwide." - Ol Pejeta Conservancy CEO Richard Vigne.