1
Extinction Question
How do you say goodbye to a friend Extinction Question
2
... a friend who is the last of his kind. 3
Extinction Question
A Moment bet
The Northern White Rhino has made head reasons. Theirs is a tragic story that ends northern white rhino was mercifully put t reportedly unable to stand and suffered f was in a great deal of pain and though it him, they did the right thing and set him f
There are now only two northern white rh Najin, and his granddaughter Fatu. Both lived and died. (NY Times)
Extinction Question
4
tween Friends
dlines recently, but not for good s in virtual extinction. The last male to sleep on March 19th 2018. Sudan was from complications due to his age. He broke the hearts of those who loved free from his pain. (Washington Post)
hinos in existence, Sudan’s daughter reside at the conservatory where Sudan
5
Extinction Question
Northern White Rhino
White rhinos are one of the largest land mammals, second only to the elephant. Males can weigh in around 3.6 tonnes and reach a height of 1.85 meters. Though the females are smaller, they can still weigh a massive 1.7 tonnes (WWF). The northern white rhino is one of only three species of rhino which has two horns instead of one. The other two are the black rhino and the sumatran. (livescience). White rhinos have a longer skull, less defined forehead, and a larger shoulder hump than their counterpart, the black rhino.
Black Rhino Extinction Question
Sumatran Rhino 6
All rhinos are large, but nowhere near the size of their ancestor, the Paraceratherium. This massive creature is on record as the largest land mammal to ever live, weighing near 20 tonnes and standing five meters tall. Existing nearly 30 million years ago, this animal is the oldest known ancestor of the creature we know today as the rhinoceros. Rhinos are classified as perissodactyls, sharing ancestors with horses, tapirs, and zebras. The early rhinos in this group would not be recognizable as a rhinoceros today. They were drastically bigger, the early ones did not yet have horns, and some species evolved to be covered in fur, much like the legendary wooly mammoth. BBC speculates that the giant rhinos of prehistoric times may have disappeared due to the evolution of the elephant. Both herbivores, the elephant had a leg up on the rhino, or rather, a trunk up. Their long trunk made it easier for them to reach food sources that may have been out of reach for the rhino. These creatures were massive and needed to eat hundreds of pounds of plant material each day. Not only were these creatures magnificently huge, they were roaming the areas of Europe, Asia, and Tibet in very large numbers. An excavation in south-west France found the remains of over 100 individual rhinos in one area (BBC).
I (Greek for “Indric beast�); pronounced INN-drik-oh-THEE-ree-um; also known as Paraceratherium
Where there once were numerous species roaming the earth, there now only remains five species of rhino: white rhino, black rhino, greater one-horned rhino, sumatran rhino, and javan rhino. The white rhino is divided into two subspecies, the northern and southern white. While the southern white rhino was once thought to be extinct, there are now over 20,000 alive and well. It is one of the best examples of conservation efforts and how they can truly make a difference in endangered species. The southern white is the least endangered rhino, with the the black rhino following at 5,055, greater one-horned comes in third with 3,345, the sumatran has 100, and the javan is down extremely low with only 58 individuals remaining. (IRF).
Greater One Horned Rhino
Javan Rhino 7
Extinction Question
Poaching War
The northern white only has two remaining rhinos, both unable to give birth due to age or illness. Thi years already and unfortunately hope for the future of the northern white is bleak. The poaching war c save these majestic creatures.
Hunting from European settlers caused a decline in num in the 1970s and 80s when demand for the horn grew. It medicines. It is used in Yemen to create handles of dagg twelfth birthday. The horn is also used in China for decor AD (PBS). It is a sign of wealth and status in Asian coun never ceases, no matter how high the price. National Ge which found that “the demand for rhino horn is independ expensive it gets. Vietnam, in particular, is driving the illi - and people want rhino horn as a status symbol” (Natge symbol, though a study in 2015 showed that those who the price rose (Scientific American). As a status symbol, endangerment, and extinction of an entire species seem traditional medicines, is there any basis in this claim of it suggest some pepto bismol and a nap instead).
The Poaching War According to the World Wildlife Foundation it was just 150 years ago that there were over a million black and white rhinos roaming Africa’s savannas. Extinction Question
8
is subspecies has been extinct in the wild for many continues and so does the fight of those who try to
mbers, but the poaching crisis took a turn for the worse t is considered an aphrodisiac and is also used in Asian gers called jambiya, a gift bestowed to boys on their rative use, which dates back as far as the 7th century ntries such as China and Vietnam, and the demand eographic cited a study out of the University of Pretoria dent of price, meaning people will buy it no matter how icit trade. The country’s upper-middle class is booming eo). This is particularly true for the use as a status valued the horn as medicine were less likely to buy as , the rhino horn seems totally pointless; the domination, ms far from something to brag about. But what about t being an aphrodisiac or a hangover cure? (I would
9
Extinction Question
Interestingly enough, the rhino horns use as an aphrodisiac, or for medicinal purposes, was rare and virtually a myth until that myth came to fruition. Metro.co.uk published an article about a psychological idea called the illusory truth effect. It is “the idea that if you repeat something often enough, people will slowly start to believe it’s true.” They went to on cite a study which showed that “even if a person has prior knowledge disproving a lie they’re being told, they’ll still believe the lie if it’s repeated enough.” The use of rhino horn as an aphrodisiac was cited enough in the media that some people started using it as one, though that number is still far smaller than
Extinction Question
those who desire it for its decorative purposes in figurines, jewelry, etc. (Scientific American) As for the idea of it being used in traditional Asian medicine, there is some validity to that claim. Scientific American published an article that claimed “historically, traditional Chinese medicine has mixed rhino horn with other natural ingredients for treating fever or relieving symptoms of arthritis and gout. The list of historical uses also includes: headaches, hallucinations, high blood pressure, typhoid,snakebite, food poisoning, and even possession by spirits.” Though there is truth to the historical use of the rhino horn, there is not any evidence to support its medicinal value. In that same article, Scientific American cites two studies which contradict the traditional ideas that rhino horn has any sort of medical properties: “The few medical studies of rhino horn focused on its possible value in treating fever—one of the more common medicinal uses in Vietnam and China. A 1983 pharmacological study by researchers at the Switzerland-based health care company Hoffman–La Roche showed no evidence of such medicinal value. Hong Kong researchers in 1990 published a pair of studies that suggested some fever-reducing value in mice at fairly high doses—but also concluded water buffalo horn worked just as well.” With the advances in modern science and the fact that fever reducing medicine is available over the counter, or if you’re really keen on going all natural, there are simple herbs that can be used and are readily available at your local grocery market, it seems an outdated way of thinking that rhino horn is a viable option for such a common occurance with medicine readily available for a quick fix. Not only that, but the study cites “some fever-reducing value… at fairly high doses,” hardly enough scientific evidence to continue the use, particularly when one considers the cost,
10
(Scientific American). The rhino horn itself is made of keratin, the same thing that makes up hair and nails. PBS cited a study by researchers at Ohio University which showed that rhino horns are similar in structure to horse hooves, turtle beaks, and cockatoo bills. Not only does this sound like something I would not want in my drink, but that being the case, why not grind up your own nails and hair and create medicine from those? Of course this is an exaggeration as rhino horns and human fingernails are not the same, the former study also showed that “the centers of the horns have dense mineral deposits of calcium and melanin.” Regardless, using rhino horn as a medicine or a status symbol is an utterly outdated way of thinking that stems from tradition, and as we well know, tradition is not always on the right side of history.
That being said, the poaching war continues to rage in Africa. This war has been a long one, and it has only worsened. According to helpingrhinos.org, “In 2007 just 13 rhinos were lost to poachers in South Africa (that is still 13 too many), however by 2014 that number had risen to 1,215 – a 9,246% increase in just 7 years!” They attribute this increase to the rising wealth of Vietnamese and Chinese citizens. There are now more people than ever who can afford to purchase rhino horns, and with the going price around 500,000 per horn, that is a lot of money to pay for the life of an innocent animal. Even trophy hunters don’t pay that hefty of a price (we do not condone trophy hunting either). According to this site “rhino horn is now worth more per kilogram
11
Extinction Question
than gold or cocaine.” At least gold has a purpose - we won’t get into the gold standard system, but at least it has some sort of societal value and we don’t have to kill living beings to obtain it. According to savetherhino.org, poachers don’t just kill the rhino on the spot to steal its horn, they often use tranquilizer guns to subdue the rhino, cut off the horn, then leave the animal to wake and bleed to death. The worst part of this is that if rhino horns are removed properly they will grow back. It would still be highly illegal, as you need a permit to cut rhino horns, but instead of tranquilizing these animals, taking the horn properly, and letting the rhino live, these poachers leave them with a painful and slow death. In no way should stealing the horns of these great animals be condoned, but it is difficult to understand why poachers would mutilate the rhinos to the point where they will die once the horn is removed. It seems far more beneficial for them to leave the rhino alive to grow another horn for them to take - again, in no way should this
Extinction Question
12
be condoned, I am simply questioning why the poachers would not do something that benefits them. They stand to make more from rhinos that live to grow another horn than they do simply taking one horn and letting the rhino die. While some say that legalizing international trade of rhino horn (it is now legal to trade domestically within South Africa) would cut down on poaching because it would cut price and allow the sale to be made legally, others are skeptical and believe that this would only exacerbate the issue.
The poaching and illegal trade of rhino horn is still rampant, however there are many organizations that strive to prevent this travesty from continuing. They count on our continued vocal and financial support to keep these efforts going. Please look into what you can do to help.
13
Extinction Question
Saving the Northern White northern white from extinction. The 8 different semen samples is sufficient, 8 different genetic lines is what is required to rebuild a population without the risk of inbreeding. And if the > 20 genetic lines are able to be used through a cloning process, then that creates an even more diverse population of rhinos which can then be led to breed among each other and further the species.
While some are skeptical about putting so much effort and money into saving the northern white rhino, there are others who are continuing to fight for the northern white rhino. Dr. Morne De La Rey is doing groundbreaking research that he says will not only benefit the northern white rhino, but all other rhinos. Dr. De La Rey is perfecting the practice of transplanting embryos from the two remaining northern white females into southern white surrogates. Due to the age of Naijin and Fatu, and the complications with Fatu’s endometriosis, the practice of taking the eggs is being perfected on southern white rhinos, who were once thought to be heading for extinction, but now are thriving with numbers over 20,000. There are currently 8 different semen samples of northern white bulls stored around the world, and 26 genetic cell- lines of tissue samples- these would not be strictly sperm samples but tissue samples that have been collected and at a later date could potentially be used to clone those rhinos to increase the population and the genetic pool. Once the process has been successful with southern whites the team will carefully take eggs from Naijin and Fatu and, using the already frozen sperm samples, produce a viable embryo which will then be transferred into a southern white surrogate. If you’re unfamiliar with surrogacy, what that means is that Naijin or Fatu would be the egg provider, a frozen sperm sample would be used to fertilize that egg (in vitro fertilization), and then the embryo would be placed in a southern white rhino. The placement of the embryo in the southern white would in no way affect the embryo and the offspring would be of a full northern white bloodline. Dr. De La Rey says this process can be used to save the
Extinction Question
If you’re thinking that this is far Dr. Morné de la Rey qualifie fetched, remember that humans have whereafter he joined his fat basically perfected embryo flushing, embryo tra the art of in vitro He did the first embryo sexi fertilization and for a international recognition for pretty penny anyone calf Futhi. He has been invo can walk into a representing Africa and is a clinic and receive the treatment. Not techniques (ART) in wildlife only that, but this animals Sable Antelope and is no new avenue Wildebeest. 6 years ago he for Dr. Morne De calves and in 2016 produce La Rey, he cites Hopefully one day he will be the cases he has the Giant Sable, Bongo or N previously worked on like the zambian sable which had eggs transplanted into southern sable surrogates, and his similar work with cape buffalo, as examples of successes already achieved with inter subspecies embryo transplants, producing numerous live offspring. The case of the northern white embryos and southern white surrogates is no different. Because they are subspecies, Dr. Morne De La Rey says that we know positively that the transfers can work because it has been proven with the other animals of the same genetic variance. There is no doubt in his mind that this work can be achieved, and the northern white saved from extinction. Just in the last year and a half of research on the southern
14
e Rhino
white rhino’s, he and his team have already been able to collect occytes (eggs), produce fertilized embryos, and produce 2 and 4 cell embryos. Dr. De La Rey’s main concern is that it won’t be soon enough for the two northern white rhino females Naijin and Fatu. “We don’t know how long they’re going to live, we don’t know how long they’re going to produce eggs for, but I even then think that if they don’t survive and live long enough then at some point in time we will be able
to do enough osi retrieval out of southern white rhinos that we can use their eggs for cloning the cell cultures that’s available around the world.” Cloning is the more advanced procedure, but one that his team is familiar with. His team was the first to clone an animal in Africa, and if someone
ed as a veterinarian from Onderstepoort in 1994 ther at Embrio Plus. Embrio Plus specializes in ansfers and artificial insemination in livestock. ing in cattle in Africa in 1995, however got r the first cloning in Africa in 2003 of the Holstein olved on various international committees active in recent years with assisted reproductive e large ungulates working with his favorite d Buffalo and also Roan Antelope and Blue e produced the first Sable antelope embryo ed the first IVF Cape Buffalo calves in the world. e doing his part to save endangered species like Northern White Rhino.
15
Extinction Question
was to clone the 26 genetic lines of northern whites stored around the world, his team would be the right one for the job.
Critically En
Though some believe that this is not viable and those resources should be used elsewhere, (the Javan rhino for instance is critically endangered, with less than 60 individuals remaining) Dr. De La Rey says that this research will not only bring the northern white rhino back from the very brink of extinction, but will be able to help other endangered rhino species as well.
Black Rhino Sumatran Rhino Javan Rhino Amur Leopard Bornean Orangutan Cross River Gorilla Eastern Lowland Gorilla
According to Dr. De La Rey, these techniques can help increase rhino populations and create genetic diversity among isolated populations without the risks involved with transferring the animals. He says “the more species we can work out and get functional, the better it is for our knowledge about it and if we, for instance, let’s just talk southern white rhino. At the moment our knowledge of the southern white rhino says they calf down every 3 years, but if you look at them in nature and look at them carefully, they calf down every 6 years. Their intercalf period is 6 years so that means there’s a calf every 6 years. If an animal then gets to 36 years old she would have had 6 calves in her lifetime, if she could have calved down every 3 years she would have had 12 calfs in her lifetime and now if you take that as 6 calfs will then each give you 6 calfs, that will give you 36 calves in 2 generations but if you have 11 calfs and each of those calves gives you 11 calves that would then be 121 calves in 2 generations so the exponential gain that you would have on animals that can calf down every 3 years is exceedingly increasing the numbers of those animals, opposed to having them calf down every 6 years. So the work that we do doesn’t only revolve around the IVF to eventually do it to Fatu and Naijin, it’s also to be able to do IVF and other reproductive techniques, hormonal support and synchronization and stimulation so they can calf down more frequently.” This process would only require artificial insemination to be able to have calves born at a higher
Extinction Question
Hawksbil Javan Rh Malayan T Mountain Oranguta Saola South Chi
There are now 41,415 species on the IUCN Red List, and 1 extinction. This is up from 16,118 last year. This includes
Last 2 Northern White Rhin
CAN WE SAVE AND
16
ndangered
ll Turtle hino Tiger n Gorilla an
ina Tiger
Sumatran Elephant Sumatran Orangutan Sumatran Tiger Vaquita Western Lowland Gorilla Yangtze Finless Porpoise
16,306 of them are endangered species threatened with s both endangered animals and endangered plants.
no Females Fatu and Najin
D PROTECT THEM?!
frequency than they are born in nature. There would not be embryo transfer required, except if the animal is subfertile. “Apart from getting those animals calving down every few years, the same with infertile or subfertile women that you can do IVF and they can have babies, if we are successful with this you can actually do that with these females as well that are subfertile. Just think about Fatu who’s got this endometriosis and maybe she produces good quality eggs but you have another rhino that doesn’t produce any eggs at all, you can at least take her eggs and put it into the other rhino as a surrogate so one of them can have calves using the two females whereas if that was the case in nature, none of them would have had any calves, so you can utilize the techniques to multiply the offspring of the subfertile animals.” Though it is natural for animals to be subfertile, with the poaching war and the crisis that rhinos face, subfertile females can cause a decline in population gain which is detrimental to the efforts to increase rhino populations. If populations increase at a higher rate than they would in the wild, poachers would then have to kill far more rhinos in order to decrease the population gain as quickly as they do now. Not only would this increase population, but it would decrease the risks associated with the transferring of rhinos, which is done in order to create genetic diversity in isolated populations where there is a risk of inbreeding. A rhino is moved from one area to another to breed so that the isolated population is introduced to a new genetic line to breed with in order to prevent inbreeding. Because the poaching war is so extreme, it is dangerous for rhinos to roam in unprotected areas and small populations need genetic diversity introduced, but with Dr. De La Rey’s work, this does not have to be done through the transferring of rhinos any longer. Transferring a rhino is not only dangerous for the rhino itself, because as he says anytime anesthesia is involved there is a risk, just as with humans, but it is dangerous for the new population as well. First, the incoming rhino can bring diseases to the new area which
17
Extinction Question
Extinction Question
18
the established population is susceptible to, or vice versa, the new rhino may be susceptible to diseases which the established population is immune to. But with artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization, Dr. De La Rey can then disinfect the eggs or sperm free from diseases and either inseminate or transfer an embryo into a female member of the established population. This introduces new genetic material while keeping both the incoming rhino, or in this case simply the DNA, and the established population safe from diseases which could potentially weaken or kill them. The new calf would get immunities while being in the womb and would also gain immunities from drinking the mother’s milk and would therefore be immune to any diseases which could potentially endanger an incoming rhino. Dr. De La Rey says this does not only apply to rhinos either, but to all animals in isolated populations with a risk of inbreeding. The same techniques can be used to increase populations and prevent the tragedy of the northern white rhino from happening to other endangered species.
been done, and the answer is simple: funding. Dr. De La Rey’s company Embryoplus, is not a nonprofit organization, nor a government institution, and he is not paid to do this research. Dr. De La Rey works three days a week in order to afford to do research on the southern white rhinos and perfect the art of egg retrieval and embryo transfer to save the northern white rhino. Those three days allow him about a day and a half of research for the northern white. The needles he uses are $150 a piece and he uses two needles per one rhino. That does not even touch on the cost of the equipment his company has made, the other medical equipment that is required to do this research, or the time he spends doing it. While the world watched in horror and awe as Sudan, the last male northern white rhino died, Dr. De La Rey was working to honor his legacy and undo the devastation caused by man. He was there with Sudan at the end and had the privilege of taking DNA samples to possibly clone Sudan one day. Dr. De La Rey can always use donations to further his research and if you would like to donate please contact him: info@embryoplus.com or www.gofundme.com/rhino-repro.
One might be asking why this hasn’t already
19
Extinction Question
International Rhino Found
Dr. Susie Ellis is the Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation, a small but feisty non-profit organization that funds and operates rhino conservation and protection programs in Africa and Asia. Prior to joining the IRF, she was a Vice President at Conservation International in Washington DC, where she oversaw programs in terrestrial and marine biodiversity
conservation in Indonesia and the Philippines. Dr. Ellis has worked on projects in more than 40 countries during the course of her career, with species ranging from penguins to pandas, and now, rhinos. She has authored more than 100 scientific, technical, and popular publications. Though many are excited about the potential IVF and bringing the northern white back from virtual extinction, Dr. Susie Ellis and the International Rhino Foundation believe that it is too late for the northern white. A lot of people believe the northern white rhino should be considered a different species of rhino instead of a subspecies, have you heard that before? I have heard that before, but I haven’t seen the genetic work that supports that. And frankly at this juncture it doesn’t matter, it’s too late. So you do believe that they’re going to be extinct no matter what?
Dr. Susie Ellis of the International Rhino Foundation
Extinction Question
Well they are, they’ve been functionally extinct for probably 10 to 12 years with so few left, because it’s certainly not a viable population and it’s been
20
dation left too late, so the big lesson here is let’s not let it happen with any other species, or subspecies rather, ever. Right, and there’s talk of them doing in vitro using some sperm samples they have from the San Diego Zoo and implanting the embryo in a southern white rhino, but people are saying that they think that even if that happened it would still be too late and we should use our efforts for other species. Yes, well that’s the view that we hold, and if you go to our website and look at tough issues, I think there’s a piece on advanced reproductive techniques you know, will it make a difference? Frankly there have only been a couple embryos ever created and they’ve only been two or three cells, so the science is not in place and will probably not be in place during my lifetime, even though I know people are pretty excited about it. It’s a longshot, it’s a really long shot. And it’s just, it’s never been achieved, that’s not to say the work shouldn’t go on because it is important to develop the science down the road and maybe it can be used for another species or another subspecies, but the reality is that for this particularl subspecies it’s just too late. So even if that cross, so that let’s say an offspring is produced that is half northern white and half southern white, even if you keep reproducing those animals together it’s never going to be a northern white rhino per se. While Dr. Ellis said she holds “the deepest respect” for the scientists working on the IVF, she feels that it is just too late, though she does feel that the science needs to continue to go on in the hopes of it saving another species or subspecies. She said that zoos are a great resource for helping prevent something like the
extinction of the northern white from happening in the future. Ellis said that “part of it is developing insurance populations for example, and zoos and particularly the large breeding centers, the places that have lots of land, I think will increasingly play a role in terms of creating those insurance populations that are well managed and that can be, you know God forbid if something like this happens again they can be used to repopulate if the conditions are changed so that the original reasons they were decimated are gone.” When I questioned Dr. Ellis about the reasons the northern white were decimated and how they came to have such low numbers, she informed me that it was a matter of wrong place, wrong time. There was nothing particularly special about the northern white that made it’s horn especially prized, the populations were simply in a terrible war zone and “really bad luck, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And you know, actually in the whole extinction crisis discussion, that’s one thing that isn’t discussed, there is a luck factor and of course that’s out of anybody’s control.” While Dr. Ellis is skeptical that the IVF will work and actually be able to revive the northern white, she is hopeful because she knows that animals can be brought back from the brink of extinction. There’s a huge piece of good news, the other subspecies, the southern white rhino was down to fewer than 50 individuals in South Africa in the early 1900s, and they’ve been brought back to more than 20,000 animals today, and so we know how to recover endangered species and have good examples to work from, but when a species occurs in a country like the Congo that’s a warzone and there’s no political will and no civil society or government bodies that are willing to take on management of national parks
21
Extinction Question
or species, it doesn’t matter how much money you have or can put toward the problem, without government support, without the support of the country you’re kind of crippled, because in the end it’s every country’s responsibility to manage their own natural resources. Luckily there are good, reputable organizations that strive to create that change and take responsibility for these animals. Both the indian rhino and the southern white rhino have been brought back to viable populations from less than 200 animals. There is hope, and there is possibility as far as bringing animal populations back from near extinction. According to Dr. Ellis, zoos can also help with conservation and with helping people care.
countries and so there aren’t a lot of resources, so the funding that comes in from international organizations is really important to keeping those programs going. Dr. Ellis also said there are a lot of faux organizations attempting to profit from the crisis, so be sure to do your research before contributing to the cause and make sure your money goes where it’s needed. Dr. Ellis left me with this: We want to let people know that there really is a lot of hope, and with the right resources and government commitments in the countries where rhinos live we can hopefully reverse the trend for the three that are critically endangered.
Most people wouldn’t know what a rhino was if there weren’t zoos and wouldn’t have developed a deep appreciation for wildlife in general without seeing them in a zoo setting because going to Africa for example is expensive and not everybody has the resources to do so. So zoos are doing a tremendous amount for conservation and more and more zoos are putting significant funding into programs in the wild, the zoos are certainly a source of major support for our organization as well as other organizations that are doing conservation with wildlife. While zoos and conservation groups are fighting the good fight, what are we here at home to do? So what would you say to the average person who wants to do something to help, what can they really do in their daily life to help with this issue?
2018
You know the main thing is really just to become informed about the astute and tell everybody that you know what is happening and spread the word. Of course financial donations are what keep the field programs going because all the rhino species are essentially found in developing
Extinction Question
22
23
Extinction Question
James Mwenda is a caretaker at the Ol Pejeta conservatory in Kenya and was a caretaker for Sudan for about four and a half years. Mwenda said that Sudan required a lot of care and 24 hour security. His job was to “be around [Sudan], to give him security, to make sure all aspects of his life and well being [were] looked into.� Sudan was famous before his passing for being an eligible bachelor. The conservatory where he was kept created a tinder profile for him in an attempt to raise awareness and money for IVF , unfortunately the goal was not reached, though efforts are still underway. I spoke with James about his time with Sudan and how he feels about the state of rhinos today.
Extinction Question
24
Sudan was very old and you’ve been working with him for about four and a half years, from the information I found doing research, the longest recorded case of a northern white rhino in captivity was 30 years and he beat that by quite a few years. So you guys gave him a really long life, and you were there for the ending of it, does that feel special that you were there for his last years?
Well it was good, actually to me it was like a big burden, like the world was just looking at what is actually going to happen to this rhino. It put a lot of weight on me… I feel like I had the privilege to be there. It was kind of saddening, the realization that Sudan wasn’t just any other rhino. He was the last male northern white rhino that we know, so it
25
Extinction Question
was kind of overwhelming at times to see the kind of state these animals were, or are in, and how helpless they are to their own situation. It was just heartbreaking and moments of sadness at many times. I’m sure you have some good memories of being around him. Sudan was this rhino that was there, I mean, to me it was like he understood that he was there for the world to see the problem with human beings and how extreme humans can be. He was always cool, he was always there, he would never be bothered by anyone that came unless you did something that annoyed him, and he would allow you even to get close to him without
Extinction Question
necessarily being bothered by what is happening around him. He was a gentle rhino, he was very peaceful, and his spirits were always very good, and until his last few days he was also jovial, he’d walk around and my most favorite part is when rhinos would encourage people and why it is important to conserve these people, I find these moments memorable and very dear. I tried my best to use Sudan and the role he played in being an ambassador, so the most cherishing moments I would always treasure, and also when I would give him a mud bath and he would feel so relaxed. He would feel more relaxed and he would stretch his legs. What was it like having the doc crew be around you all?
26
For the first time I thought they were just any other filmmakers, just doing some films. I think they did a good thing, I think they’ve done a film that entails the other side of humans who take care of these animals and how we relate to the animal in our personal lives, so it’s more of a film that has a lot of weight. It was just like a normal way of life, they came, we got used to them, so we did things the way we normally do, so there’s so many things the film people will hear, they will see what actually happens on a daily basis to make sure these animals are protected, the sacrifice we pay to ensure that the rhinos are safe, of our lives outside of work, and from the rhinos, how we leave our homes, I mean so much will be exposed in this film I think. And one thing I love about the film, and I don’t know if it’s going to be good in there, is the essence that I made an apology, in the very few last days of Sudan, to the whole world, I just asked Sudan to forgive us, humanity, for just pushing him too much to be the last of his kind, and it’s something that I feel we all needed to apologize to Sudan, but we all couldn’t make it to be there, so on behalf of a number of people who are true conservationists, I did it on their behalf, and it’s something I’m looking to see if it will be there when the final thing is out there. And to me it’s the most important, most of the message and the essence of Sudan’s existence, it was good to document him so that future generations can understand what actual extinction looks like, and how you can prepare to witness extinction when you’re a caretaker for the rhinos. I think it’s going to be overwhelming, but I think it was ideally right for them to document it.
wherever they are, whatever they do, life. And you’ve gotten people neglecting commitments, in regard with life, they’re so busy with life, they’re so busy doing work and other stuff like that. And when I talk of sacrifice I mean, despite the aspects of our daily life, we all need to have time, and nature is a good educator by itself. Sometimes you need to release yourself out in the world with nothing to offer, with nothing to do, just stand and watch the environment, and you get so many lessons from that. So for the average person I want to tell them that it is the most unfair thing for someone to do to themselves, and to future generations, to be unaware of what is actually happening around them. Because all of the sudden - you know conservation is not about James because I have a very big mouth, shouting that we all need to wake up, it’s not about Ol Pejeta because they have the rhinos, it’s not about conservation, it’s about all of us, and whether we fail to sacrifice for the well being of the environment, it has indirect consequences to us, and that is the truth.
James said something profound during our interview, he said “An average person can be part of it, by purposing to be part of it.” When you want to do something, you will find a way to contribute and help the cause. James said in a facebook post, which received over 11,000 likes, and almost the same amount of shares, that he wished he could create a day and name it after Sudan, “Sudan, the legend day.” He wants this to be a day where children can learn about extinction and the environment, and about the struggle of Sudan. It is a cliche to say that children are the future, but it is incredibly true, and if we can raise the next generation to be better than we are then we have truly succeeded, not just for ourselves, but for all other creatures on this planet.
We have to go to another level of sacrifice, what do you think the average person can do to help with this cause? Well I believe that every human being breathing on the face of earth has a role to make sure the world is, better place, in a different capacity,
27
Extinction Question
Rhino Foundations Need Y The International Rhino Foundation is dedicated to the survival of the world’s rhino species through conservation and research. At the heart of IRF’s vision is the belief that these magnificent species should endure for future generations, and that protecting rhinos ensures that many other species that share their habitat also survive, including people.
Project Rhino is an association of like-minded organisations, facilitating rhino conservation interventions aimed at eliminating rhino poaching and securing the white and black rhino populations of KwaZulu-Natal. The members of Project Rhino recognise that the work in conserving and protecting rhinos from the threat of poaching is symbolic of the broader threat faced by all wildlife, and that all wildlife will benefit from actions taken by Project Rhino. The association is also aware that the poaching of rhino is symptomatic of the overall, bigger environmental crises facing South Africa and its neighbours.
To create strategic local and global partnerships, sustainable operating models and international education programmes that deliver tangible results in rhino protection, habitat preservation, a reduction in the illegal wildlife trade and the empowerment of local communities.
Using assiste White Rhino we need a lo Rhino Repro rhino to try a vitro fertilisat These embry southern whi give birth to a
Extinction Question
28
Your Help We believe we can stop poaching and habitat loss so that, in 20 years’ time, rhinos will no longer be Critically Endangered. We’re working with the best people and using every tool we can to save rhinos.
We are writers, teachers, media consultants, designers, editors, PhD’s, master gardeners, parents and young scholars in grade school. Our aim is to work with the real people on the front lines: the rangers in the bush, thevets caring for the injured orphaned rhinos, the sanctuary experts, rehabilitatin traumatized rhinos. Baby Rhino Rescue was formed so that everyone could be part of the solution to a catastrophe. There is a place in this for all of us. I truly believe that miracles are possible when people come together, with passion, with pro-activity, with vision.
ed reproduction like in vitro fertilisation to save the Northern from extinction, needs a lot of research. For this research ot of funding. We as a team doing rhino reproduction, hence o, we are busy with 3 weekly procedures on southern white and perfect oocyte (egg) retrieval from rhino cows, doing in tion and culturing the embryos to potential blastocyst stage. yos from northern white rhino will then be transferred into ite rhino surrogates to carry the embryo calves to term and a northern white rhino.
29
Extinction Question
The Northern White Rhino is functional extinct with only 2 females still alive by the names of Najin and Fatu. This with the death of last male alive called Sudan.
Using assisted reproduction like in vitro fertilisation to save the Northern White Rhino from extinction, needs a lot of research. For this research we need a lot of funding. We as a team doing rhino reproduction, hence Rhino Repro, we are busy with 3 weekly procedures on southern white rhino to try and perfect oocyte (egg) retrieval from rhino cows, doing in vitro fertilisation and culturing the embryos to potential blastocyst stage. These embryos from northern white rhino will then be transferred into southern white rhino surrogates to carry the embryo calves to term and give birth to a northern white rhino.
info@embryoplus.com
Extinction Question
30