Northern White Rhino Doomed to Extinction as Last Male Dies

The world's last male northern white rhino has died, leaving only two females of the subspecies alive. The Kenyan conservancy taking care of the rhino, named Sudan, said the 45-year-old was euthanized after a rapid deterioration in an age-related condition led to changes in his muscles and bones and extensive skin wounds. The Epoch Times wrote about Sudan being on death watch in early March, citing communications manager Elodie Sampere as saying that it was "only a matter of days" before the last male of the species met his end. Sudan, as the rhino is named, became famous after he was listed as Tinder's "Most Eligible Bachelor in the World," and is only one of three northern white rhinos left in the world. The elderly animal's failing health sparked a crowdfunding effort that at the beginning of March raised $1 million. According to Fox News, $9 million is needed to save the northern white rhino, a subspecies of the white rhino. Reuters recently reported that the fundraising effort fell well short of target. Conservationists said the price tag for saving the species is so high because it would involve in vitro fertilization and multiple surrogate pregnancies in the world’s last two female northern white rhinos. “Giving birth to just one rhino won’t save the species,” said Sampere, “we need at least 10 babies.” While there are thousands of southern white rhinos still roaming the plains of sub-Saharan Africa, rampant poaching drastically cut the numbers of northern whites. Poachers can sell northern white rhino horns for 50-thousand dollars per kilo, making them more valuable than gold or cocaine.