Memorial to fete world’s last male northern white rhino

A ceremony to celebrate the life of Sudan, the northern white rhino who died a week ago, has been set for March 31.

In a press invite sent to newsrooms, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Tourism Ministry indicate that CS Najib Balala is expected to attend the event that will be held at the Rhino Memorial Site from 10a.m.

Sudan died at Ol Pejeta aged 45 while undergoing treatment for age-related complications.

According to the conservancy, Sudan escaped extinction in the 1970s when he was moved to Dvůr Králové Zoo and throughout his existence, significantly contributed to survival of his species as he sired two females.

During his final years, Sudan came back to Africa and stole the heart of many.

“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 worldwide,” Ol Pejeta’s CEO Richard Vigne said.

Sudan’s death has now left only two female northern white rhinos on the planet: his daughter Najin and her daughter Fatu, both residing at Ol Pejeta.