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Saying Goodbye

A ranger cares for the last male northern rhino.
A TENDER MOMENT A ranger cares for Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, in 2015. NICHOLE SOBECKI—THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES

Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhinoceros, died on March 19. He lived in Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Rangers put the rhino down after an infection left him unable to stand.

Thousands of northern white rhinos once roamed Africa. Yet they were hunted nearly to extinction. That’s because their horns are used in Asian medicine and crafts.

With Sudan’s death, only two northern whites remain: his daughter and granddaughter. But conservationists are hopeful for the future of the species. They have been developing 
a new reproductive technique. It uses genetic material from dead northern white rhinos.

During his life, Sudan highlighted the need for conservation. At his funeral, rangers honored him with his favorite food—carrots, according to National Geographic. “Fare thee well, Sudan,” the conservancy posted on its Facebook page.