The last male northern white rhino, popularly known as Sudan, has died at the age of 45.
Sudan died at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County on Monday, March 19.
In a statement, the Conservancy said the rhino 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,” said Ol Pejeta on Tuesday morning.
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.
“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 the unsustainable human activity. One day, his demise will hopefully be seen as a seminal moment for conservationists worldwide,” said Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s CEO.
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.