Local organisation saddened by Sudan’s death
Sudan, who was 45 when he died, was suffering from a string of infections in his advanced age
LOCAL resident and conservationist, Carla Geyser has expressed her sadness at the death of Sudan, the world’s last surviving male northern white rhino. The rhino died after months of poor health, his carers said in a statement. Geyser is the founder of the Blue Sky Society Trust, an NPO working to preserve and improve life for people, animals, and communities in need.
Sudan, who was 45 when he died, was suffering from a string of infections. His death comes as rhino populations around the world teeter on the brink of extinction, largely due to poaching .
According to reports, only two now remain-his daughter, Najin, and granddaughter, Fatu.
Sudan was brought to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, where he was being looked after, from a zoo in the Czech Republic in 2009.
Read also: Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, dies aged 45
Geyser, who met Sudan during the ‘Elephant Ignite Expedition’ in 2016 said meeting the rhino was an unexpected honour for both her and the team.
“It was a bitter sweet experience, as we all felt completely embarrassed and disappointed in the human race that we had done this to him. I cannot describe that feeling to you in words, when you are there staring extinction in the eyes, listening to his heavy breath which is now no longer. It’s a very emotional and helpless feeling. It was also a wake up call for us. If we don’t act now – this is what could happen to our southern white rhino, our elephant, our pangolin, our lions and the list goes on. Extinction is forever.
“I firmly believe that each and everyone of us has the power to make a difference. I try to do my part by leading humanitarian and conservation expeditions in and around Africa. You may be involved in education, or online media. Together we are stronger and we need to work hand in hand and come up with solutions to try and solve this open festering wound that we have created. We still have so much worth fighting for,” she said.
Read also: In Kenya, anti-poaching dogs are wildlife’s best friends
For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follows us Instagram.
