Tinder’s ‘Most Eligible Bachelor In The World’ Is Now On Death Watch

The last male northern white rhino in the world, formally known as Sudan, is now on death watch after not responding well to his infection treatments. This is raising fears that the subspecies is getting closer to extinction.

Sudan gained instant fame last year after Tinder named him the “most eligible bachelor in the world” in a campaign to raise funds to help save the subspecies.

As one of the three remaining northern white rhino’s in the world, it is up to Sudan to reproduce with the last two females in order to keep the species alive. But, as he gets older and his health weakens, the possibility of him being able to reproduce is dwindling.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfyx3y3B8De/?tagged=northernwhiterhino

“We don’t think he will last for much longer,” said Elodie A. Sampere, a spokeswomen of Ol Pejeta.

Before the infection, Sudan was crucial in making sure the subspecies didn’t go extinct. In fact, he was protected from poachers by 24-hour armed guards.

Sudan, and other rhinos, are targeted by poachers because of the belief in Asia that the horns of a rhino can cure various ailments. However, experts say that the rhino horn is becoming more profitable than drugs.

With time, the infection and poachers clipping at his heels, it’s a race against time for Sudan to mate. A committee at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya is looking at various alternative reproduction techniques, including in vitro fertilization. The committee fears that Sudan may be too old and weak to mate naturally.

Hopefully, the committee at the conservancy and the armed guards can all rally together to help save this beautiful subspecies. If not, the northern white rhino will become extinct, just like their “cousins” the western black rhino did seven years ago.

Featured image via Ashes Sitoula on Unsplash

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.