The northern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) are one of two subspecies of white rhinoceros. Tragically, they are on the brink of extinction, with only two known individuals remaining—both females named Najin and Fatu. These last survivors reside at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, under 24-hour armed guard for their protection.
The Last Northern White Rhinos
- Najin: Born in 1989 at the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic, Najin is the daughter of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino.
- Fatu: Born on June 29, 2000, also at Dvůr Králové Zoo, Fatu is Najin’s daughter and Sudan’s granddaughter.
The Journey to Kenya
In 2009, Sudan, Najin, Fatu, and another male named Suni were moved from the Dvůr Králové Zoo to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. This move aimed to stimulate natural breeding by placing them in a more natural environment. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, successful breeding did not occur, and Suni passed away in 2014, followed by Sudan in 2018.
Sudan’s Death and the End of Males
Sudan, born in 1973 in Sudan, was captured and brought to the zoo in the Czech Republic. After being relocated to Ol Pejeta, he became a global symbol of conservation. His passing on March 19, 2018, marked the end of male northern white rhinos, leaving behind only Najin and Fatu.
IVF and Scientific Efforts
To prevent the complete extinction of the subspecies, scientists have embarked on a groundbreaking In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) program. Since Najin and Fatu cannot reproduce naturally, the plan involves using their eggs and preserved sperm from deceased males, including Sudan and Suni.
So far, scientists have successfully created 30 viable embryos using Fatu’s eggs and stored sperm, which are kept frozen. 19 of them were created with sperm from Angalifu, 11 with sperm from Suni. The embryos are planned to be implanted into southern white rhino surrogate mothers, as Najin and Fatu are not suitable for carrying a pregnancy. If successful, a northern white rhino calf could be born in 16 months.
A Symbol of Hope
Despite the challenges, the northern white rhino story is not just one of loss but also of resilience and hope. The IVF efforts represent the last chance to bring the subspecies back from the brink of extinction. The dedication of conservationists, scientists, and supporters worldwide keeps Sudan’s legacy alive, striving to ensure that the northern white rhinos do not disappear from the planet forever.