A white rhino on Tinder. This is the last thing that I thought I would read in a lifetime. But, hey, it has happened and I think it is a very creative way to address their critically endangered status. Poaching is the major reason why this animal is in such a deplorable state and ONLY 3 rhinos remain of this species!
Sudan, the LAST male northern white rhino in the world is 43 years old. He is in search of a mate and his Tinder profile is just too adorable!
There are only 3 northern white rhinos that remain in the world- Sudan and two females, Najin and Fatu. They have been unable to reproduce naturally due to old age. So, Sudan’s sperm would be made to mate with the eggs of female southern white rhinos which are 17,000 in number through in vitro techniques!
Certainly, Sudan isn’t on this app to have fun. The OL Pejeta Conservancy (where Sudan lives) has partnered with Tinder to raise funds for the research on Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART). Richard Vigne, the Conservancy’s CEO, said,
“This represents the last option to save the species after all previous breeding attempts proved futile.”
So, the way this will work is, those of us using the app will see Sudan in our card stack and when we swipe right on him we would be provided with a link asking us if we would like to donate to fund the research! Tinder’s Matt David is hopeful about this venture and said,
“I would not be surprised if Mr. Sudan turned out to be one of our most Right Swiped users.”
OL Pejeta Conservancy hopes to raise a hefty amount of $9 million and to make the project a success. I hope this creative project bears more northern white rhinos!