The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Last male northern white rhino dies
Sudan had been part of an effort to save the subspecies from extinction
The world’s last male northern white rhino has died after “age-related complications”, researchers announced, saying he “stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength”.
A statement from the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya said 45-year-old Sudan was put to sleep 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, with a deep infection on his back right leg.
The rhino had been part of an ambitious effort to save the subspecies from extinction after decades of decimation by poachers, with the help of the two surviving females.
One is his daughter, Najin, and the other is her daughter, Fatu.
“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,” said the conservancy’s CEO, Richard Vigne.
Sudan was something of a celebrity, attracting thousands of visitors.
Last year he was listed as “the most eligible bachelor in the world” on the Tinder dating app in a fundraising effort.
The last male northern white rhino had been born in Sudan, the last of his kind to be born in the wild.
He was taken to a Czech zoo and then transferred to Kenya in 2009 with the three other remaining fertile northern white rhinos at the time.
They were placed under 24-hour armed guard and fed a special diet.
“However, despite the fact they were seen mating, there were no successful pregnancies,” the conservancy said.
Rangers caring for Sudan described him as gentle and, as his condition worsened in recent weeks, expressed sadness over his imminent death.
The rhino “significantly contributed to survival of his species as he sired two females”, the conservancy said.
“Additionally, his genetic material was collected yesterday and provides a hope for future attempts at reproduction of northern white rhinos through advanced cellular technologies.”