Sudan’s Warden Writes Emotional Farewell to Last Male Northern White Rhino
The world has been shattered by the death of the last male northern white rhino, Sudan… but none more so that one of his close companions, Warden James Mwenda. After Sudan’s death earlier this week at Olpejeta Conservancy in Kenya, James wrote a tribute that has been shared thousands of times. “Good bye Sudan, I […]
The world has been shattered by the death of the last male northern white rhino, Sudan… but none more so that one of his close companions, Warden James Mwenda.
After Sudan’s death earlier this week at Olpejeta Conservancy in Kenya, James wrote a tribute that has been shared thousands of times.
“Good bye Sudan, I don’t need to say it here that I loved you. You know it well from all the talks and the moments we had together, being with you for the last few years completely changed me, and as you taught me daily I continued to teach and inspire my fellow humans to be conscious and sensitive of our environment. I promised to be your voice…”
James writes that on retrospect his sadness at the loss of Sudan is made better by his contentment that he gave Sudan his best. “Sudan I don’t regret anything… as deep within my heart I gave you everything.”
What he does regret however is how much his fellow humanity has learned from Sudan’s existence.
James says he has tried his utmost “though still my voice has been small”. He says if he was powerful in the conservation world, he would want 19 April 2018, the day of Sudan’s death, to be made ‘Sudan, the Legend Day’.
It would be a day “when parents should take their kids out and teach them how and why we need to embrace the environment, a day where a pic of Sudan could be presented in the classroom and have the kids draw him, so that they are made conscious of extinction and what Sudan’s existence meant.”
James says he knows Sudan could never praise him for the job he did. “Sometimes the commitment, sacrifice and love of an animal can only be know by the animal, God and the caretaker only, catalyzed by the bond they share and the affection. All I can ask is your blessing buddy, that blessing means everything to me, old as you were I celebrate your life well lived.”
He then asked Sudan to pass on a message to Lola, Saut, Nasima, Nabire and the other dead rhinos.
“Tell them that some humans still uphold the madness that rhino horn is a cure, but there are others that still are fighting for your future.
“The big question is what does Sudan’s existence and his death mean to you?
“Let us all purpose to learn.
“I will try my best to honor all that we talked about and live for what you have taught me”
As well known South African wildlife vet, Dr Will Fowlds, said: “[Sudan] had the weight of a species on his shoulders. In death, he may be the wake up call we humans need.”
https://www.facebook.com/james.mwenda.1276/posts/2149782698582809
Utter tragedy today with loss of last male northern white 🦏. We can’t just sit back & watch more species disappear. UK leading efforts to #endwildlifecrime & will bring world leaders together for talks this autumn. #RIPSudan pic.twitter.com/WkFDWVnN5Z
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 20, 2018
Another one of Sudan’s close companions – Joseph Wachira
https://www.facebook.com/474596272672703/photos/a.474613556004308.1073741827.474596272672703/1235133923285597/?type=3&theater