In Memoriam – Wildlife
- POSTED ON: 23 Mar, 2018
- TOTAL VIEWS: 1195 Views
- POSTED BY: Chari Vijayaraghavan
- ARTICLE POINTS: 100 Points
It is with great sadness that Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Dvůr Králové Zoo announced that Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, age 45, died at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya on March 19, 2018. Sudan was being treated for age-related complications that led to degenerative changes in muscles and bones combined with extensive skin wounds. His condition worsened significantly in the last 24 hours; he was unable to stand up and was suffering a great deal. The veterinary team from the Dvůr Králové Zoo, Ol Pejeta and Kenya Wildlife Service made the decision to euthanize him.
“Sudan will be remembered for his unusually memorable life. In the 1970s, he escaped extinction of his kind in the wild when he was moved to Dvůr Králové Zoo. Throughout his existence, he significantly contributed to survival of his species as he sired two females. Additionally, his genetic material was collected yesterday and provides a hope for future attempts at reproduction of northern white rhinos through advanced cellular technologies. During his final years, Sudan came back to Africa and stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength.”
“We on Ol Pejeta are all saddened by Sudan’s death. He was a great ambassador for his species and will be remembered for the work he did to raise awareness globally of the plight facing not only rhinos, but also the many thousands of other species facing extinction as a result of unsustainable human activity. One day, his demise will hopefully be seen as a seminal moment for conservationists world wide,” said Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s CEO.
In other news, one of the most famous tigers ‘Sitara’ (or ‘Star’ or T-28) of Ranthambore National Park died. Star had strayed near a village and had been tranquilized and rescued. Star eventually died a few hours later.
Star or ‘Sitara’, locally called so because of a five point star mark on the left eye, was the real pride of Ranthambore. Tiger fans must recognize it through the notable fight with the “lady of the lakes”- Machali – in early 2009. The reason was obviously a fight for territory. Let’s hope that we are able to protect our species a lot better in the years to come.
Source: Wikimedia Commons | Ol Pejeta Conservancy | Ranthambore National Park