The last northern white rhinoceros male might die as it is suffered an infection in his right leg. Its state of health has worsened and, since it is a 45-year-old rhino, is not expected to improve, according to the Kenyan Ol Pejeta natural reserve’s representatives.
Kenyan Ol Pejeta’s staff is not optimistic
The northern white rhino, named Sudan, successfully recovered at the end of the last year from an infection in his right leg, but a few days ago it was discovered that the infection relapsed and, this time, the condition was much more harmful.
“The infection has been treated but, worryingly, it is taking longer than normal to recover, despite the efforts of the team of veterinarians who are taking care of it 24 hours,” the reservation said in a statement.
The institution is not optimistic regarding the last northern white rhinoceros male future, and they’re expecting the worse.
In December 2017, a committee consisting of veterinarians, ecologists and wildlife experts from Kenya, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and South Africa met to save the life of the last living male specimen of the northern white rhinoceros.
The northern white rhinoceroses were victims of massive poaching
For years, the poaching of these animals has contributed to their imminent extinction, as their horns are paid at prices higher than gold on the African and Asian markets due to alleged healing and aphrodisiac properties, something that makes it a coveted product.
Because of this, since 2009, Sudan has been guarded 24/7 by armed Kenyan soldiers.
The last three specimens of the northern white rhinoceros species, Sudan, the last northern white rhinoceros male, and two females are guarded in the Ol Pejeta reservation.
Unfortunately, the last northern white rhinoceros male might die soon, and the only solution for the species perpetuation would be artificial fertilization, a procedure that has never been done in rhinoceroses species.
