Still hoping for breeding success
December 2011: There are just seven northern white rhinos left in the world - but work at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya is underway to try to ensure that they successfully breed and Wildlife Extra has been following the fortunes of males Sudan and Suni and mum and daughter Najin and Fatu closely.
In our last update in September, Suni, Fatu and Najin were sharing an enclosure while Sudan had five southern white rhino females for company in his big enclosure. But Najin and Fatu have now been coaxed out of their boma into Sudan's 700-acre enclosure.
Najin didn't need to be persuaded for long and moved out quickly. Fatu, on the other hand, was hesitant but eventually followed her mother into the big enclosure. The girls seemed to enjoy the vast open spaces and spent a lot of time roaming their new surroundings. However, after a while it became clear that Najin was extremely protective of her daughter and was getting in the way of Sudan's advances towards Fatu.
Happy to have some company
The team decided to move Najin back to the small enclosure so Fatu and Sudan had a chance to get closer.
Two weeks later, Najin was reunited with Suni in her old enclosure. Suni seems happy to have some company and is showing great interest in Najin. He makes loud grunting noises whenever she is nearby and keepers are hopeful they will mate soon.
So far Fatu and Sudan have not yet shown any interest in each other. Fatu is shy and tends to stay away from the group especially the southern white females.
It is hoped the Fatu-Sudan and Najin-Suni pairs will have some proper chemistry. And that chemistry will lead to successful mating, increasing the breeding changes for these few remaining northern white rhinos.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/rhino-romance.html#cr
Showing posts with label Northern white rhino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northern white rhino. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Encouraging signs from Northern white rhinos – But Ol Pejeta rhino sanctuary needs your help
Encouraging signs, but no pregnancies yet
September 2011. Sudan, Suni, Najin and Fatu, four of the only seven Northen white rhinos in existence, made their remarkable journey from Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya almost two years ago (December 2009).
The four northern white rhinos are doing well and continue to live a happy and quiet life in their enclosures on Ol Pejeta. The bad news is that there are still no signs of any pregnancy or birth. All four animals are showing positive signs of adapting to life in the wild; signs such as Fatu and Suni mating regularly, Najin gaining weight and Sudan getting close to the southern white females.
Fatu and Suni have been successfully mating every cycling period (every time Fatu is on heat) with the last confirmed mating being at the end of August.
Earlier in June, Najin was moved from the enclosure she shared with Sudan into the enclosure where Fatu and Suni are as part of the strategy to encourage natural breeding. Fatu was so excited to see her mother that she stayed close to her, keeping Suni away for a couple of days. All three rhinos are now settled and are getting along great. In fact we have noticed Suni showing signs of interest in Najin.
Southern white rhino females
In addition to Najin being moved from the big enclosure, Jomo, a southern white male was also moved out making Sudan the only adult male in the area. Sudan now has four southern white females at his disposal and there have been encouraging signs of his mating with two of them; Aramiet and Darling.
Dehorning
As part of security management, Najin and Fatu were dehorned again last month to reduce the size of their back horns. Sudan had been dehorned earlier in May.
Dr. Dana Holeckova, who had looked after these rhinos all their lives when they were in the Czech Republic, came for a routine visit to Kenya only a few days ago. Dana was happy with the body conditions of all the rhinos and their management. "The rhinos are doing very well in the wild with very encouraging body conditions, they are absolutely satisfied," she said.
The northern white rhinos are constantly monitored.
This is a real crisis, and one that threatens East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary. Today, poaching has reached unprecedented highs as the price of rhino horn has surpassed that of gold.
But Ol Pejeta is fighting back and taking measures to improve thei security and surveillance capacity to combat this poaching menace. In order to do this, they need to raise $465,000. So far, they have raised $148,000 and now appeal to anyone that can help to raise the rest.
So how can you help?
1. Make a donation. Every amount counts and however small your donation, it will make a difference. Donate via JustGiving (UK and Europe) or FirstGiving (USA and rest of the world)
2. Name a Rhino. Ol Pejeta have 20 young rhinos on Ol Pejeta that need to be named and for a minimum of $500, you can name the rhino of your choice. Do you want to honour a loved one, name a rhino for your mother or father, your wife or husband, your children? Well now is your chance! By naming a rhino, you will also help us raise much needed funds for rhino protection. Contact them via email and we will guide you on the process.
Anyone who names a rhino will receive a photo of the rhino, an electronic certificate and a yearly update on your rhino.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/pejeta-rhinos.html
September 2011. Sudan, Suni, Najin and Fatu, four of the only seven Northen white rhinos in existence, made their remarkable journey from Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya almost two years ago (December 2009).
The four northern white rhinos are doing well and continue to live a happy and quiet life in their enclosures on Ol Pejeta. The bad news is that there are still no signs of any pregnancy or birth. All four animals are showing positive signs of adapting to life in the wild; signs such as Fatu and Suni mating regularly, Najin gaining weight and Sudan getting close to the southern white females.
Fatu and Suni have been successfully mating every cycling period (every time Fatu is on heat) with the last confirmed mating being at the end of August.
Earlier in June, Najin was moved from the enclosure she shared with Sudan into the enclosure where Fatu and Suni are as part of the strategy to encourage natural breeding. Fatu was so excited to see her mother that she stayed close to her, keeping Suni away for a couple of days. All three rhinos are now settled and are getting along great. In fact we have noticed Suni showing signs of interest in Najin.
Southern white rhino females
In addition to Najin being moved from the big enclosure, Jomo, a southern white male was also moved out making Sudan the only adult male in the area. Sudan now has four southern white females at his disposal and there have been encouraging signs of his mating with two of them; Aramiet and Darling.
Dehorning
As part of security management, Najin and Fatu were dehorned again last month to reduce the size of their back horns. Sudan had been dehorned earlier in May.
Dr. Dana Holeckova, who had looked after these rhinos all their lives when they were in the Czech Republic, came for a routine visit to Kenya only a few days ago. Dana was happy with the body conditions of all the rhinos and their management. "The rhinos are doing very well in the wild with very encouraging body conditions, they are absolutely satisfied," she said.
The northern white rhinos are constantly monitored.
Ol Pejeta rhinos threatened by poaching
Last month we announced the brutal death of one of southern white rhino named Max at Ol Pejeta. In August one of the black rhinos that had been wounded by poachers also died; so since the beginning of 2011, Ol Pejeta has lost 5 rhinos to poaching.This is a real crisis, and one that threatens East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary. Today, poaching has reached unprecedented highs as the price of rhino horn has surpassed that of gold.
But Ol Pejeta is fighting back and taking measures to improve thei security and surveillance capacity to combat this poaching menace. In order to do this, they need to raise $465,000. So far, they have raised $148,000 and now appeal to anyone that can help to raise the rest.
So how can you help?
1. Make a donation. Every amount counts and however small your donation, it will make a difference. Donate via JustGiving (UK and Europe) or FirstGiving (USA and rest of the world)
2. Name a Rhino. Ol Pejeta have 20 young rhinos on Ol Pejeta that need to be named and for a minimum of $500, you can name the rhino of your choice. Do you want to honour a loved one, name a rhino for your mother or father, your wife or husband, your children? Well now is your chance! By naming a rhino, you will also help us raise much needed funds for rhino protection. Contact them via email and we will guide you on the process.
Anyone who names a rhino will receive a photo of the rhino, an electronic certificate and a yearly update on your rhino.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/pejeta-rhinos.html
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