THESE are the heartbreaking photos of keepers comforting the world’s last male northern white rhino before he died.
The touching images show a wildlife ranger pressing his forehead gently on that of huge Sudan’s, and another affectionately rubbing his ears.
A keeper has a poignant moment with Sudan the rhino before he died
The large male had a cloth placed over his huge back as keepers made him comfortable.
A statement from the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya says the 45-year-old rhino was euthanised on Monday after “age-related complications” had “worsened significantly” and he was no longer able to stand.
Sudan had been part of an ambitious effort to save the subspecies from extinction with the help of the two surviving females.
The rhinoceros had previously lived at the Dver Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic before being transported to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, about 250 km (155 miles) north of Nairobi, where he lived with the last two females of the same species, 27-year old Najin and 17-year old Fatu.
The large male had a cloth placed over his huge back as keepers made him comfortable
The devastated keepers take in the news of his illness and death
The decision was made to euthanise the rhino as his health worsened
After all attempts at getting him to mate naturally failed conservationists last year put Sudan on dating app Tinder hoping to raise enough money to pay for a $9 million fertility treatment.
Conservancy CEO Richard Vigne said: “He was a great ambassador for his species and will be remembered for the work he did to raise awareness globally of the plight facing not only rhinos, but also the many thousands of other species facing extinction as a result of unsustainable human activity.”
He died following age-related problems, a statement from Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya said
The old male rhino was taken care of in his final few hours by his keepers
White rhinoceros Sudan was praised as ‘a great ambassador for his species’
Sudan had become something of a celebrity, attracting thousands of visitors to the park.
High-profile supporters have shared their devastation at the news of his death.
Australian actress and conservationist Bindi Irwin wrote: “Today was heartbreaking for us all as the world says goodbye to Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino on Earth.
“We are sending all our love to the team at @OlPejeta who have lost part of their family today.
