Sudan the rhino was 45 years old.
The world’s final surviving male northern white rhino has died following a prolonged period of illness, his carers have said.
Living to the human equivalent of 90 years old, Sudan was put to sleep on Monday after his condition worsened significantly.
He lived at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Sudan’s death leaves only two females – his daughter and granddaughter – of the subspecies alive in the world.
It is with great sadness that Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Dvůr Králové Zoo announce that Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, age 45, died at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya on March 19th, 2018 (yesterday). #SudanForever #TheLoneBachelorGone #Only2Left pic.twitter.com/1ncvmjZTy1
— Ol Pejeta (@OlPejeta) March 20, 2018
The last remaining hope for preserving the northern white rhino relies on developing IVF techniques and advanced cellular technologies.
The remaining females Najin and Fatu have had their eggs collected, alongside the genetic material taken from Sudan on Monday, to support future conservation efforts.
Sudan gained notoriety and a viral following in 2017 when a Tinder account was opened in his name to help fund research into protecting his subspecies.
He was being treated for degenerative changes in his muscles and bones and was unable to stand in his final 24 hours because of the pain, Ol Pejeta Conservancy tweeted on Tuesday.
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