While we will be crossing the number 8 billion in a few years, here are few unfortunate names whose number stands at only and only 8. They are none other that Sudan, Suni, Fatu and Najin, and the number above is representing total worldwide population. They belong to the Northern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), which is the most critically endangered rhino subspecies and the most endangered mammalian taxa in the world.
Northern White Rhino in Zoo - Czech Republic
Northern white rhinos used to range freely, thousands in number, over parts of Uganda, Chad, Sudan, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As recently as 1960 the population was more than 2,000, but the situation has deteriorated rapidly since then. Wholesale slaughter for horn, hide and meat has driven the northern white rhino to the very brink of extinction. Until recently, the only known wild northern white rhino population was clinging to survival in Garamba National Park north-east Democratic Republic of Congo, but this area continues to be ravaged by civil war and armed conflict, with devastating consequences for the wildlife and the people assigned to protect it.
In recent decades the Garamba population managed to crawl back to about 30 animals, but then crashed to four in 2005. There has been no sign of the remaining rhinos since 2007. It is currently declared as “Extinct in Wild” in the IUCN Red list. There are only eight Rhinos alive in captivity worldwide in 2010.
The captive northern white rhino population has been maintained in two zoological institutions in the U.S.A. and the Czech Republic for last few years. The zoo population is declining, and is possibly not viable. Northern whites have rarely reproduced in captivity.
In December 2009, four of the last remaining eight Northern White Rhino subspecies on the planet were moved from Dvůr Králové Zoo in Czech Republic to Ol Pejeta Conservancy on the Kenya’s Laikipia plateau. They are Sudan (36 year old male), Suni(male), Fatu(9 years old female) and Najin(19 years old female) by names.
In O Pejeta park, Kenya - 2010
The rhinos were moved to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy on the 20th of December and have settled in very nicely since their arrival. The first couple of weeks were dedicated to making sure the rhinos were adapting to their new surroundings. Watching them diligently is a team of devoted people who have been with the rhinos since the beginning of their amazing journey. Pete Morkel, a top wildlife veterinarian who specializes in rhinos, and Berry White, a hugely experienced rhino whisperer and carer, have been recording the rhino’s progress on a daily basis.
All four animals have now been fence-trained outside of their holding pen and are spending a minimum of three hours each day outside. On Monday next week, they will all be introduced to the larger 400 x 400 meter fenced area – a milestone in acclimatizing them properly to the wild. This is the last phase before they will be introduced to their breeding area in a few months.
In order to prevent any unnecessary injuries they might inflict on each other while interacting in their fenced area and give their horns an opportunity to regrow to a natural shape, all four rhinos were sedated and had their horns removed.
This joint effort by the Dvůr Králové Zoo, Fauna and Flora International, Back to Africa, Lewa and Kenya Wildlife Service.
We are hopeful as Berry White says , “We have a way to go, but they are loving being in Africa – how could they not? ..This is their natural home ”.
Prakriti