Heartbreaking photo of world's last male northern white rhino shows 'what extinction looks like'
A heartbreaking photo of the world's last male northern white rhino has gone viral after a scientist shared it on social media to show the world "what extinction looks like."
Biologist Daniel Schneider took to Twitter on Nov. 6 to share a photo of Sudan, a rhino who went viral in April during a global campaign to find him a mate, lying in his enclosure at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya looking completely dejected.
"Want to know what extinction looks like? This is the last male Northern White Rhino," Schneider wrote. "The Last. Nevermore."
Want to know what extinction looks like? This is the last male Northern White Rhino. The Last. Nevermore pic.twitter.com/o4obIQUpaR
— Daniel Schneider (@BiologistDan) November 6, 2017
Sudan currently lives with two other females of his species, Fatu and Najin, at the Conservancy, where they are protected from poachers by a 24-hour armed guard.
Unfortunately, the 44-years-old rhino's attempts to mate with both of the females have thus far been unsuccessful, due to his old age and declining sperm count.
Scientists trying to preserve the species are currently racing to develop an IVF technique that might keep Sudan's lineage and the entire species alive.
To help their efforts, visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy's website and donate to support the cause.
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