It’s the news no one wanted to hear.
The world’s last male northern white rhino has died. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya announced the devastating development.
Sudan was 45.
It is with great sadness that Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Dvůr Králové Zoo announce that Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, age 45, died at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya on March 19th, 2018 (yesterday). #SudanForever #TheLoneBachelorGone #Only2Left pic.twitter.com/1ncvmjZTy1
— Ol Pejeta (@OlPejeta) March 20, 2018
“We on Ol Pejeta are all saddened by Sudan’s death. He was a great ambassador for his species and will be remembered for the work he did to raise awareness globally of the plight facing not only rhinos, but also the many thousands of other species facing extinction as a result of unsustainable human activity. One day, his demise will hopefully be seen as a seminal moment for conservationists world wide,” said Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s chief executive officer.
Sudan started falling ill late last year. In recent weeks, his condition worsened.
Sudan was being treated for age-related complications that led to degenerative changes in muscles and bones combined with extensive skin wounds. His condition worsened significantly in the last 24 hours; he was unable to stand up and was suffering a great deal.
— Ol Pejeta (@OlPejeta) March 20, 2018
The tough decision was made to humanely euthanize the aging rhino.
There are only two female white northern rhinos left in the world.
“Unfortunately, Sudan’s death leaves just two female northern white rhinos on the planet; his daughter Najin and her daughter Fatu, who remain at Ol Pejeta,” the facility said.
Sudan’s genetic material was collected in hope it could be used in cellular and reproductive technologies.
The only hope for the preservation of this subspecies now lies in developing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) techniques using eggs from the two remaining females, stored northern white rhino semen from males and surrogate southern white rhino females.
— Ol Pejeta (@OlPejeta) March 20, 2018
Sudan will be missed by all who knew him.
James Mwenda is one of the 6 dedicated caregivers who take care of Sudan on a daily basis. Most of the caregivers have been with him since he arrived on Ol Pejeta in 2009 and to them; he is like family. pic.twitter.com/FjghASsa94
— Ol Pejeta (@OlPejeta) March 16, 2018
This is a huge loss for the world.
But also an opportunity to remember him, remind ourselves what he contributed and what we have done to the species.
“Sudan will be remembered for his unusually memorable life,” the conservancy said. “In the 1970s, he escaped extinction of his kind in the wild when he was moved to Dvůr Králové Zoo. Throughout his existence, he significantly contributed to survival of his species as he sired two females.”
#SudanForever #RememberingSudan #Only2Left
— Ol Pejeta (@OlPejeta) March 20, 2018
Photos Ol Pejeta Conservancy
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