World's Last Male Northern White Rhino Dies
The world’s last male white northern rhino has died in Kenya. Conservationists say his death underscores the urgent need to end illegal trade in rhino horn.
The northern white rhino once roamed Africa in the hundreds, some say even in the thousands. The population is now down to two, with the species at risk of extinction.
The last male northern white rhino, named Sudan, died at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. He is survived by two females, his daughter Najin and his granddaughter Fatu.
Elodie Sampere is a manager at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
“He was suffering from old-age conditions, such as arthritis and lack of mobility in his legs," Sampere said. "He was losing mobility in his legs, and we were treating him for all these things, and then it just got the best of him.”
But Sampere says there is hope of preserving the species.
“The death of Sudan does not mean the death of the species. We still have two females that are there.”
Sudan's death comes amid efforts to curb rhino poaching. The London-based charity Save the Rhino says that in just a decade, more than 7,000 rhinos have been killed for their horns in Africa.
All international trade in rhino horn is outlawed. However, consumer demand in Asia continues to fuel a black market. In some cultures, rhino horns are used in traditional medicine. They can be worth up to $50,000 per kilogram.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy says Sudan’s death is a wake-up call.
“If we as human beings are allowing the second biggest mammal in the planet to go extinct, what does it mean for the bees and the frogs and every little organism in this planet? It means they have no chance," Sampere said.
