The last white male northern rhino has died aged 46 at Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Laikipia leaving only 2 female such rhinos in the world.
The late rhino also known as Sudan died after age-related complications rose significantly. Now the only hope remaining for preserving his species lies in vitro fertilisation technique.
The male rhino, who was the equivalent of 90 in human years, was being treated for degenerative changes in his muscles and bones, combined with extensive skin wounds.He was unable to stand up and was suffering a great deal in his last 24 hours, Ol Pejeta Conservancy tweeted on Tuesday.
Environmentalists have taken to social media to spell their disappointments and griefs after the death of Sudan.
Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, has died. Our hearts are broken. We’re seeing the extinction of the northern white rhino happen before our eyes - urgent action to tackle the illegal wildlife trade is needed now more than ever. #SudanForever https://t.co/eWxm12SGBd— WWF UK (@wwf_uk) March 20, 2018.
The last Male has fallen #WeDidThis the last Northern White African male rhino marks the certain extinction of this incredible species. Rest in peace Sudan, you deserved so much better. On behalf of all mankind, I’m sorry #WeDidThis 💔 @OlPejeta— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) March 20, 2018.
SAD ANNOUNCEMENT. It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Sudan, the last male northern white #rhino, passed away yesterday after his condition worsened significantly. Read #SudansLegacy here: https://t.co/OUUukx5N7U #RememberingSudan pic.twitter.com/zrtuaDywBR— Helping Rhinos 🦏 (@HelpingRhinos) March 20, 2018.
BREAKING and HEARTBROKEN Sudan, the last northern white rhino has died in Kenya. A majestic species brought to its knees by our greed & ignorance, but mostly by inaction. #RIP @ntvkenya @nytimes @bbchealth @KTNKenya @NationBreaking @MagicalKenya @kwskenya @tunajibu @dr_mwakima— Dr. Paula Kahumbu (@paulakahumbu) March 20, 2018.
Sudan the rhino is gone.It was a joy meeting you, old man .. thank you for doing your best to save your species. We humans failed you.To the team at @OlPejeta... Thank you for doing your best. My 💕 goes out to his carers.#NorthernWhiteRhino#MostEligibleBachelor pic.twitter.com/ApoqNU7Psn— Naomi Mutua 🐱🐾 (@AKenyanGirl) March 20, 2018.
Today was heartbreaking for us all as the world says goodbye to Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino on Earth. We are sending all our love to the team at @OlPejeta who have lost part of their family today. Now, more than ever, we must stand together and protect our rhinos. pic.twitter.com/uTX2kmUjEL— Bindi Irwin (@BindiIrwin) March 20, 2018.
#Sudan has died. The last male Northern White #Rhino has passed away. We are all witness to extinction. It is forever. We must never let this happen again. #RIP pic.twitter.com/HoZNQx6ND4— Daniel Schneider (@BiologistDan) March 20, 2018.
RIP #SUDAN I hold the world responsible for the death of a species - I hold my head in shame for those whose indulgence & lies of Eastern Medicine have driven the last of his kind into non-existence. I really do not feel part of the human race - I just live among you... Anneka :( pic.twitter.com/Uh9eVcqIXw— Anneka Svenska (@AnnekaSvenska) March 20, 2018.
"The death of Sudan the White Rhino is unfortunate. We must participate in conserving wildlife and our environment, for the sake of our future generations." @Thirdwaykenya SG @fokango on @K24Tv Daily Brief. @CpaWaweru @EAukot @cyprianongeri1 @JonathanOdongo #NationalConversation— A New Kenya (@EkuruSasa) March 20, 2018.
A world without the wild. Is that what we want? Loneliness of human spirit in silent landscape. #Sudan #northernwhiterhino #extinction— Christine Milne (@ChristineMilne) March 20, 2018.
I though my country was trending for the first time ever ....it turns out a rhino named Sudan has died 🤔🤔 RIP Sudan u r more famous than my country— mohammad hassan (@akodaby) March 20, 2018.
Met this young man last year at @OlPejeta. I still did not know how to use a DSLR, so I took this with my phone. Rest well, Sudan. The truth is, we humans failed you and your kind. #TheLoneBachelorGone #MostEligibleBachelor #Only2left #SudanForever #ThisIsMyKenya pic.twitter.com/MdlFIIIOdL— Magunga (@theMagunga) March 20, 2018.