The Last Male Northern White Rhino In The World Has Died
The last male northern white rhino, Sudan, has died, leaving only living females remaining. Conservationists hope that they can still save the species from extinction.
By Admin on March 20, 2018
The last male northern white rhino, Sudan, has died, leaving only living females remaining. Conservationists hope that they can still save the species from extinction.
Sudan was put down in the Ol Pejeta conservancy in Africa on Monday, Mar. 20 due to excessive pain from a degenerative illness. His daughter and granddaughter remain.
According to the Guardian, the staff collected genetic material from Sudan before he was euthanized. They hope that the advancements in technology will help save this species.
The northern white rhinos saw a huge decline in population during the colonial era from uncontrolled hunting. Recently, they’ve also been poached for their horns.
Sudan was found in the late 1970s and moved around to save him from being hunted. He eventually ended up at the Ol Pejeta conservancy. He was euthanized after his condition worsened over the weekend. He could barely stand and was visibly suffering. Sudan lived to be 45.
Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s chief executive, said:
“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 worldwide.”
Now the hope for the survival of the species lies in the two female white rhinos.
