Every day, an ever-growing number of plant and animal species risk extinction.
My eyes were opened to the reality and I realized caretaking was more than just a job.
It was much more than that, hesays.
The sad reality of what Sudan stood for was a real picture of what extinction looked like.
I wonder to myself why are we doing this?
What should we do?
What lessons do we need to learn from this?
Is the world learning from him?
He represented much more than just one rhino.
What he stood for is huge.
Since Sudan’s death, Mwenda has continued to care for Najin and Fatu.
We had the chance to speak to Mwenda about his amazing work at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
What sparked your interest in wildlife conservation?
And that’s how I ended up working at the conservancywhere I’ve now been working for six years.
We have to check their health every morning, first thing at 6 AM.
Next, we have to clean their pens, clean their watering troughs, double-check the environment is clean.
Then we have to protect themevery minute we double-check that they are safe.
We also have volunteers coming and visitors coming who want to see the rhinos.
So, we have conservation talks where the people come to learn about them.
With this role, you undoubtedly feel the weight of the rhinos situation stronger than most people.
Is it difficult to be face-to-face with such a harsh reality?
It’s an emotionally draining job.
When people talk about extinction, it looks like a thing that is so far away.
But, at the end of the day, we are inspired.
Youve come to grow very close to these creatures.
What about their personalities has surprised you the most?
Well, each of these animals has a different personality.
They all react differently to us, to different circumstances.
The youngest female has a completely different personality to the mom.
I can tell that they feel they are the last of their kind.
So, through their personalities, they give us lessons that we can use for future generations.
Specifically, you had a very strong connection with Sudanthe last male of the specieswho passed away last year.
Did his death alter or affect your approach to your work with the other rhinos?
Basically, I had a very close, personal relationship with Sudan.
His passing was a big blow.
But, when Sudan was passing I was a happy man.
Because I had done everything I could within my reach to verify that I had given him the best.
With that regard, his death was more like an inspiration to me.
So, his death was more like we need to do something, and we need to act now.
It’s given us the opportunity to confirm we’re doing the best we can.
With no more male northern white rhinos, IVF is the only possible remedy to this species situation.
How promising is this solution?
Because it’s a scientific process, we are hoping it’s going to save the northern white rhinos.
The good thing is that, for the first time, IVF is being used with rhinos.
They’ve been able to make the first embryos, which seem to be viable.
They’re trying to do artificial insemination as well, so that would help, too.
So, fingers crossed that IVF is the remedy to save the species.
We rely on it so much, and we are waiting, fingers crossed.
What can we do to help northern white rhinos?
There are many things we can do to help the northern white rhinos.
We also can offer support.
We can support these two northern white rhinos so that they have good lives.
