At Ol Pejeta, planning to make perfect conditions to breed the last remaining northern white rhinos failed, attempts were made to cross-breed the northern whites with the southern whites to at least perpetuate this precious gene pool.

Sudan, the last male northern white rhino on the planet. Photo: Ed Barthrop / Ol Pejeta Conservancy

But for the last living male, named Sudan, and the two remaining females, Najin and daughter Fatu, this will not be an option. All three are getting on in age. Najin (25) has weak knees and cannot endure the breeding attempts. In a cruel twist of fate, Fatu (14) is infertile, and Sudan (38) has weak sperm.

Technically, what this means, is the species is extinct.

Human greed has ended this magnificent creature, however, the future of other rhino specie is not doomed, it is in the balance, waiting for us to determine the outcome. Vigilance, commitment and determination can preserve the rhinos, and in the end, our own fates as well.