IS IT AN END OF AN ERA FOR THE NOTHERN WHITE RHINO OR IS THERE STILL A GRIMPSE OF HOPE

 

In the Nothern part of Kenya, Laikipia county, lies the 90000 acre Ol Pejeta conservancy which holds one of the most critically endangered species of animals in the world.

 The Ceratotherium simu cottini, commonly known as the Nothern white rhino are amongst the most endangered sub-species of the rhino family.

The cause of the massive white rhino killings was alleged killings by poachers who were after their horns. bAccording to rhino rest, the price of a rhino horn in the illegal market, is estimated to be about $usd 400,000 for an Asian rhino and $usd 20,000 for an African rhino per kg.

According to KWS, Najin and Fatin are the only female white rhinos left all over the world .In the early 2015, health assessments by veterinarians from KWS  and the Czech republic revealed that neither of the females was capable of natural reproduction and Sudan’s sperm count was low due to his old age.

On march 2018,the KWS announce the death of Sudan, who was the last remaining male northern white rhino who died at the Ol Pejeta conservancy.

 According to the KWS report, it stated that Sudan had super visual cutaneous wounds on joints, thighs, shoulders and distal parts of the front and hind legs. The cutaneous wounds then extended to the right thigh’s muscles thus affecting its movements and becoming quite difficult to support it’s legs. It further stated that on march 2018 it’s health deteroriated and could not even stand on its own even after being offered support. On the animal welfare consideration, a decision was made to euthanatize it to stop further pain and suffering and after they conducted a post post mortem, it was found that he died due to age related complications.

Due to the advanced technology, scientists were finally able to implement a way to redeem the almost extinct species using a procedure that was the first of it’s kind in history.

 On a statement released on September 11^th 2019,the eggs of the two remaining female white rhinos were collected and were then transported to Europe and 8 of them were fertilized with thawed sperms from a deceased Nothern male white rhino called Suni.

 The Oucytes were developed into full embryos and were stored in liquid nitrogen alongside the the three that were produced in earlier procedures as they awaited to be transferred into the  wombs of surrogate southern white rhino mother.

“We must do everything possible to save this species from extinction” quoted the former tourism CS Najib Balala acknowledging the scientists  who performed  the procedure.

In July 2021 Biorescue announced the creation of three new northern white rhino embryos bringing the total to 12.

Scientists are still doing their best to make sure the story of the Nothern white rhino does not come to an end thus signifying light at the end of the tunnel arising hope to future generations to experience the reign of the prince of the wild.