Why the last male northern white rhino is dead
The only way to save the sub-species is to develop in vitro fertilization techniques
The death of Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, has dashed hopes of saving from extinction the sub-species, of which only two female rhinos are live. The 45-year-old rhino was suffering from “age-rlated complications”. He had extensive skin wounds apart from suffering muscle and bone deterioration, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where Sudan was staying, said in a statement. His age was equivalent to 90 human years.
Of all types of rhinoceros, the white rhinoceros, which consists of two sub-species (northern and southern), are the most social. According to Save the Rhino’s official website, there are 19,682-21,077 southern white rhinoceros. With the death of Sudan, the number of northern white rhinoceros came down to two, who are Sudan’s daughter Najin and his granddaughter Fatu.
Why Sudan was euthanised
According to reports, Sudan was being treated for age-related complications at the conservancy. The treatment led to “degenerative changes in muscle and bones combined with extensive skin wounds”. His condition deteriorated so much that he was not even able to stand up.
The veterinary team that was looking after him decided to euthanise him. The other surviving male rhino had died of natural causes in 2014.
James Mwenda is one of the 6 dedicated caregivers who take care of Sudan on a daily basis. Most of the caregivers have been with him since he arrived on Ol Pejeta in 2009 and to them; he is like family. pic.twitter.com/FjghASsa94
— Ol Pejeta (@OlPejeta) March 16, 2018
Northern white rhinos pushed into extinction
Northern white rhinos were found in northwestern Uganda, southern South Sudan, Central African Republic and northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the colonial era, there was uncontrolled hunting. In the 1970 and 1980s, their population plummeted to 15 from 500. From the early 1990s through mid-2003, the population recovered, rising to more than 32. But poaching could not be stopped for the horns of these rhinos are in demand for medicinal purposes.
Last year, the South African government also lifted the ban on rhino horn trade, making it legal.
Born in 1978, Sudan, popularly known as the “gentle giant”, escaped the species’ near-extinction in the 1970s and was taken to Czech Republic. Later, he was brought back to Africa in 2009.
Sudan was on Tinder
In 2009, there were four northern white rhinos, two males and two females at the Czech zoo. They were shifted to Kenya in the hope that the change in environment may encourage breeding. There was no successful pregnancy and Sudan was retired from his role as a potential mate.
An account was created for him on Tinder, not to find a mate, but to help fund the development of IVF for rhinos. Sudan was listed as "The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World" by Tinder last year in partnership with the conservancy in a campaign to heighten awareness and raise $9 million to save the species.
Is there still hope?
The only hope for the preservation of this subspecies now lies in developing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) techniques using eggs from the two remaining females, stored northern white rhino semen from males and surrogate southern white rhino females.
— Ol Pejeta (@OlPejeta) March 20, 2018
The only way to save the sub-species is to develop in vitro fertilisation techniques and surrogate white rhino females using nothern semen and eggs.