O n the 19th of March, 2018, Sudan died. He had been suffering from age-related health issues and from a series of infections. In July 2015, Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic lost Nabire, and in November 2015, San Diego Zoo lost Nola - leaving just three northern white rhino left on the planet. In early 2015, checks by vets from the Czech Republic dealt us another blow – neither of the females is capable of natural reproduction, and Sudan’s sperm count was disappointingly low (but not surprising given his age). His death left Sudan as the only northern white male in the world capable of breeding. In October 2014, we were devastated with the loss of Suni, who died of natural causes in his enclosure. With so few northern whites remaining, it was decided that a southern white male would be introduced to Fatu and Najin in the hope of producing offspring that would at least preserve some of the northern white genes. Expectations were raised when Suni was seen mating with Najin in 2012, but as the gestation period of 16 months wore on, it was clear that Najin was not pregnant. To keep the northern white rhinos safe and in good health, Ol Pejeta dedicated 24hr armed security, a 700-acre enclosure, and a nutritious diet supplemented with fresh vegetables. All previous breeding attempts in the Zoo had been futile, and the hope was that the climate and rich grasslands of Ol Pejeta, a native habitat for the animals, would provide them with more favourable breeding conditions. Najin, Fatu, Sudan and Suni had been living in Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic. On December 20th, 2009, four of the world’s last remaining seven northern white rhinos arrived at Ol Pejeta.
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