Animal lovers are mourning the loss of Sudan the rhinoceros. Sudan, 45, was the world's last male northern white rhino. He died at a zoo in Kenya after "age-related complications". Officials say his health "worsened significantly" and he was too weak to stand. His muscles had weakened and his skin had "extensive wounds". The zoo's director called Sudan's death, "a cruel symbol of human disregard for nature". He said everyone who knew Sudan was sad.
The northern white rhino have been hunted to near-extinction because of the value of their horns. There were more than 2,000 in the 1960s. The only northern white rhinos alive today are Sudan's daughter and granddaughter. They live in a zoo so they will be safe. Conservationists want them to produce young to keep their species going. In vitro fertilization could be used on them. The zoo needs $9 million to fund the conservation project.