The Last Male Northern White Rhino Standing

White Rhinos are very much an extremely endangered species. There are two main sub-groups of the white rhino: Northern and Southern White Rhinos. While the Southern white rhinos seem to be making a comeback and are able to reproduce successfully, time may very well be running out for the Northern white rhino, as the last male northern white rhino has had several unsuccessful attempts at reproducing with the available females

Last Male Northern White Rhino Standing

The last male northern white rhino, as seen on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, is currently living under armed guards as part of the Oi Peteja Conservancy efforts in Kenya.

“Sudan” is the name of the rhino, and the many scientists and researchers that have worked with him and the other two males that passed away are seriously concerned for the future of this species. They have attempted several times, unsuccessfully, to have the species reproduce through Sudan and one of the two females that they currently have at the conservancy. There are current efforts to help the breed propagate through in vitro fertilization, but there is no guarantee that this method will be successful.
On another front, the conservationists have chosen to remove the majority of Sudan’s majestic horn in an effort to protect him from poachers. With this being the last male Northern white rhino, as seen at the Oi Peteja Conservancy page, they are taking no chances. Sudan is under armed guard 24-hours a day, and there is also a team of dogs that the guards use to help keep track of the majestic bull.

Kenya’s Conservancy Efforts

Kenya has made many conservancy efforts to help keep the Northern white rhinos from the brink of extinction. Back in 2009, the Oi Peteja Conservancy made a deal with the Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic to transfer the remaining white rhinos, 2 males and 2 females, to Kenya.

While Kenya may not be have been known as the home for white rhinos in the past, it is believed that these animals did live here at one point in time. The idea behind the move was to provide them with surroundings that would allow them to experience a certain level of freedom, while also having something familiar so that they would hopefully propagate and give the species hope.

The Last Male Northern White Rhino Standing - Clapway

Little Hope for the Northern White Rhino Species

There is little hope left as the last male northern white rhino, Sudan, is currently 42-years old. The active conservationists and scientists working on bettering the chances of the species survival are hopeful that in vitro fertilization will work. After the tragic death of both of the other males that were known of this particular species, hopes for the future of these animals plummeted.

There is still a light at the end of the tunnel, however, if they should successfully breed Sudan with one of the females. This species needs all of the protection and the help that it can get. While this particular situation is sad, it is also a reminder of why we need to take better care of our planet and of all the animals that call it home.

The ways animals amaze humans are just one of those perpetual truths that won’t ever grow tiresome — meet this sled dog from Greenland: 

https://youtu.be/UGBqfBc6XBg