A screen grab from a video of a newborn rhino in Al Ain Zoo that was renamed after Sudan. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
A screen grab from a video of a newborn rhino in Al Ain Zoo that was renamed after Sudan. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
A screen grab from a video of a newborn rhino in Al Ain Zoo that was renamed after Sudan. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
A screen grab from a video of a newborn rhino in Al Ain Zoo that was renamed after Sudan. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo

Environment

Al Ain Zoo names baby rhino after Sudan

The southern white rhino will be named in honour of the world's last northern white rhino

Anna Zacharias

April 22, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

Al Ain Zoo has given its newborn southern white rhino the name Sudan to honour the world's last male northern white rhino who died last month in Kenya.

Sudan died at age 45 after a series of age-related illness and infections. His death puts his subspecies on the brink of extinction.

He lived in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a non-profit reserve in central Kenya. There are just two Northern White Rhinos left on earth, Sudan’s daughter Najin and his granddaughter Fatu. They remain at the conservancy and are in good health.

The conservancy has launched a GoFundME campaign with Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic to save the subspecies with in vitro fertilization (IVF). The "Make-A-Rhino" campaign is seeking Dh46 million for IVF research so that the northern white rhino can once again roam East and Central Africa.

  • This newborn southern white rhuno has been named Sudan, after the last male northern white rhino who died in Kenya last month. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
    This newborn southern white rhuno has been named Sudan, after the last male northern white rhino who died in Kenya last month. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
  • Sudan Junior is the second rhino to be named after a famous rhino. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
    Sudan Junior is the second rhino to be named after a famous rhino. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
  • The zoo hope that by naming this newborn rhino Sudan, they will encourage conservation. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
    The zoo hope that by naming this newborn rhino Sudan, they will encourage conservation. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
  • This newborn rhino was named Sudan. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo
    This newborn rhino was named Sudan. Courtesy Al Ain Zoo

Sudan Junior is the second rhino in the zoo to be named after a famous rhino in a bid to increase environmental awareness.

In early 2017, Al Ain named a female southern white rhino Nola after a female southern white rhino that died in 2015 at San Diego Zoo.

Al Ain Zoo began its southern white rhino breeding programme in 2008. From its original five, the zoo now has 10 male and female rhinos.

In 2013, the zoo signed an agreement with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya to support field studies on elephants, antelopes, lions and rhinos. It is one of several partnerships that gives support for field research, animal management, medical care and a safe environment for animals in their native environments.

______________

Read more:

All you need to know about the UAE's new animal possession laws - graphic

Oryx released into sprawling Abu Dhabi reserve

Al Ain Zoo: a place with no shortage of big cats

______________

Al AinKenyaCzech RepublicSudan