Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, recently died from an age-related illness, and it was a loss that was felt deeply across the world. The grief and heartbreak were the strongest, however, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
For 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and ten long years, the staff and conservationists at Ol Pejeta Conservancy dedicated their lives to protecting the majestic creature. After his loss, they were devastated.
At 45-years-old, Sudan was old for a rhinoceros; during his illness and his final moments, the nearly extinct rhino was surrounded by those that loved and cared for him. A group of people from the conservancy showed, including armed guards and dogs that still currently protect the last two remaining female northern white rhinos on the planet (Sudan’s daughter and granddaughter, Najin and Fatu).
After comforting Sudan as he passed away, the heartbroken team unveiled a stone memorial with his name on it. They placed it underneath the shade of a nearby tree – a permanent reminder of Sudan’s life and existence.
The conservancy team unveiled the memorial and posted the photos on Facebook, along with an emotional caption.
“This morning, we gave Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, a fitting tribute in honour of his life and his great work as a rhino conservation ambassador.
In a short ceremony on Ol Pejeta, several speakers gave great personal accounts of their interactions with Sudan and his incredible global impact on rhino conservation. James Mwenda, gave a powerful speech on behalf of his caregivers and urged the world to not let Sudan’s death be in vain. The ceremony was graced by Hon. Najib Balala, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife and the Laikipia Governor, Hon Ndiritu Mureithi who both reaffirmed their commitment to supporting wildlife conservation not only in Laikipia but across Kenya.
The ceremony culminated in the unveiling of Sudan’s plaque at the Rhino Memorial by the Cabinet Secretary and the Governor,” the post reads.
Sudan was considered an ambassador for helping people all around the world understand the threats of rhino poaching.
The rhino’s horn is a coveted item when it comes to Eastern medicine and they are killed in order to obtain them. Millions of rhinos used to exist across Asia and Africa, but now, the population is estimated to be around 30,000, according to Save The Rhino.org.
Now, Oj Pejeta is working with scientists to try and revive the northern white rhino species using the two last remaining females and in-vitro fertilization with sperm collected from males that have passed – their sperm is being stored in Berlin, Germany.
Hopefully, with last-ditch fertilization efforts, Najin and Fatu can save the northern white rhino species.
Reviving a species this way has never been attempted, so the fate of this beautiful species is sadly unknown. A sad reminder to us all that humans and their actions have major consequences and impact on the environment and wildlife around us.
“Fare thee well Sudan,” Ol Pejeta closed their emotional post. “You have done your work to highlight the plight of rhino species across the world; now the onus is on us.”
Ol Pejeta Conservancy‘s full Facebook post is below. Sudan’s legacy will hopefully live on forever.
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This morning, we gave Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, a fitting tribute in honour of his life and his great…
Posted by Ol Pejeta Conservancy onSaturday, March 31, 2018
