R.I.P. Sudan, The World’s Last Male Northern White Rhino Has Passed Away

It is with a heavy heart that WAN shares the sad news that Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, has died.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Dvůr Králové Zoo made the announcement that the 45-year-old rhino had to be euthanized after his condition deteriorated significantly.

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. The veterinary team from the Dvůr Králové Zoo, Ol Pejeta, and Kenya Wildlife Service made the decision to euthanize him.

Sudan will be remembered for his unusually memorable life. 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 the survival of his species as he sired two females.

His genetic material was collected yesterday and provides a hope for future attempts at the reproduction of northern white rhinos through advanced cellular technologies. During his final years, Sudan came back to Africa and stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength.

“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,” said Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s CEO. “One day, his demise will hopefully be seen as a seminal moment for conservationists worldwide,”

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.

A SPECIES ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION

Northern white rhinos used to roam East and Central Africa in vast numbers, but conflict, poaching, and habitat loss eliminated them.

As per its website, Ol Pejeta’s northern whites came in 2009 from Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic, where all breeding attempts had been futile. It was hoped that a more natural environment would stimulate more successful results, but sadly nothing changed.

Fatu and Najin, the last northern white females, are still in good health, and a roadmap for their regeneration is in place. Through cutting-edge reproductive technology and meticulous expert care, there is a chance that they will be able to save this magnificent creature from disappearing forever.

DONATE IN MEMORY OF SUDAN

Donations to support the IVF research that will help to ensure that one day in the future, northern white rhinos may once again roam freely in their natural habitat can be made HERE!

R.I.P. Sweet Sudan…You will forever live in our hearts and we will do whatever we can to save your species from extinction in wild. There is still HOPE!