Sudan, world’s last male Northern White Rhino, euthanized in Kenya

World Today

FILES-YEAR2016-KENYA-AFRICA-ANIMAL-CONSERVATIONSudan, the last known male of the northern white rhinoceros subspecies, grazes in his paddock on December 05, 2016, at the Ol Pejeta conservancy at the foot of Mount Kenya. (AFP PHOTO/Tony KARUMBA)

Conservationists said goodbye to “Sudan,” the world’s last male Northern White Rhino. He was euthanized over age-related medical complications, and leaves behind a daughter and granddaughter.

CGTN’s Leslie Mirungu has more.

Aged 45, Sudan was the last of his kind. Given his unique circumstances, conservationists had created a profile on popular dating app Tinder, hoping this would raise the money needed for fertility treatments, after all attempts at getting him to mate naturally had failed.

Sudan was receiving treatment for infections and age-related deterioration that left him unable to walk. Caretakers at the the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya say he was suffering and exceptionally weak, so they euthanized him. Fans were informed of his death early on Tuesday.

Sudan was not just a dad, but was also a grandfather. He leaves behind his daughter Najin and granddaughter Fatu, who are now the last two of their species.

There’s still some hope for a revival, though. Sudan’s genetic material has been saved, and scientists hope technological advances and in vitro fertilization will allow the species to live on.

For now, however, no males are left.