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Photos: The last three northern white rhinos in existence

Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, seen in 2017.
Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, seen in 2017.
Image: Reuters/Baz Ratner
By
Johnny Simon
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Sudan, the last male northern white rhino in the world was responding to treatment for an infection, Reuters reported on Wednesday (March 7). The bit of good news has his handler rethinking possible euthanasia, something he was considering if Sudan’s pain got too severe.

Sudan lives with two females in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, located in Laikipia county. The northern white rhinocerous, a subspecies that is smaller than the southern white rhino, used to number in the thousands but their numbers have shrunk, partially due to poaching. These three rhinos, under constant protection by armed guards, are all that remain. Southern white rhinos, still number at more than 20,000 according to the World Wildlife Fund.

While Sudan’s health has rebounded, he is 45 years old, near end of life expectancy for the species. Researchers are currently investigating in vitro fertilization to further the species.

A warden watches over Najin (front) and her daughter Fatu, the last two northern white rhino females, in their enclosure at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya, on March 7, 2018.
A warden watches over Najin (front) and her daughter Fatu, the last two northern white rhino females, in their enclosure at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya, on March 7, 2018.
Image: Reuters/Baz Ratner
Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, takes a carrot from a warden on May 3, 2017.
Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, takes a carrot from a warden on May 3, 2017.
Image: Reuters/Baz Ratner
Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, is fed by a warden on May 3, 2017.
Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, is fed by a warden on May 3, 2017.
Image: Reuters/Baz Ratner
Najin (L) and her daughter Fatu, the last two northern white rhino females, lie in their enclosure at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya, on March 7, 2018.
Najin (L) and her daughter Fatu, the last two northern white rhino females, lie in their enclosure at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya, on March 7, 2018.
Image: Reuters/Baz Ratner
A warden guards Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya, on May 3, 2017.
A warden guards Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya, on May 3, 2017.
Image: Reuters/Baz Ratner
Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, grazes at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya May 3, 2017.
Sudan, the last surviving male northern white rhino, grazes at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya May 3, 2017.
Image: Reuters/Baz Ratner