On March 19th, 2018, the last male Northern White Rhino, Sudan, died by euthanization, after suffering from “age-related complications', rendering the subspecies functionally extinct. A year before his death, Sudan underwent an infection in his right hind leg, which he overcame at first, but as the infection returned, his health deteriorated.
Sudan was moved to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy for a "Last Chance To Survive" breeding program in 2009, along with three others of his kind. At the conservancy, the rhinoceroses were guarded 24 hours a day in order to protect them from poaching, which is the greatest factor on why they are going extinct.
Uncontrolled poaching and hunting in the colonial era caused the rapid decline of the Northern White Rhinoceroses. Barely brought back to life from extinction, today, poaching for their horns is the main threat. However, scientists have harvested artificially inseminated eggs from the two prevailing females, meaning there is still hope for the Northern White Rhinos.
The Northern White Rhinoceros are just one of thousands of species that are suffering from extinction and endangerment. Here is a petition to end poaching. Remember, extinction is forever. Help save a species.
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