LISTEN: Caretaker to world's last male Northern White Rhino speaks
The caregiver to the world's last surviving male northern white rhino says his death is a loss to wildlife, given the long-standing efforts to try and save the sub species.
Sudan, as he was fondly known, was being closely protected at Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy. He died this week at the age of 45.
James Mwenda says his relationship with Sudan was one that he valued.
"I've always had thoughts of how can we, as human beings, get to a point where there is only a single rhino left - a single male standing. I promised Sudan that, being close to him every day, minding about his day to day life, I would try my best to be his voice," Mwenda said.
The Kenyan conservancy became Sudan's home in 2009 when he was moved from Czech Republic. Scientists believed that relocating the rhino to his natural environment would stimulate breeding.
The last two female northern white rhinos are also being housed at the park.
Conservationists are at the experimentation phase to perfect In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment in rhinos.
"The two females that we have are saving the entire sub-species because they are the only ones viable enough to be used for artificial breeding, that is IVF. It is up to us now as caretakers to make sure we give them the best environment. The two girls are doing well. As I'm talking to you, they're 15 metres away from me and they are just resting. We are trying our best to make sure that they are safe," he said.
Listen to Newswatch journalist, Portia Cele's full interview with James Mwenda below: