Angalifu was 44 when he died of old age on Sunday at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Calif. He was a northern white rhinoceros, a species on the brink of extinction. Following his death, there are just five northern white rhinos left worldwide, all in captivity."Angalifu's death is a tremendous loss to all of us, not only because he was well beloved here at the park but also because his death brings this wonderful species one step closer to extinction," safari park curator Randy Rieches told the AP in a statement.The San Diego Zoo has one remaining northern white rhino, an elderly female named Nola. Despite the hopes of conservationists, Angalifu and Nola were unable to breed, the Los Angeles Times reported.In addition to Nola, the world's only remaining northern white rhinos are:- Sudan, a male living in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. He's now the final remaining male of his species.- Najin and Fatu, two females living in the Kenya preserve with Sudan.- An elderly female at the Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic. The zoo is responsible for the care of Sudan, Najin and Fatu, and sent them to Kenya as part of a last-ditch breeding program.The species has likely already lost its last chance for natural reproduction. In October, a male called Suni -- the first of his kind ever born in captivity -- died of unknown causes in Kenya, where he was part of the breeding program with Sudan, Najin, and Fatu. At the time, the Dvur Kralove zoo called Suni "probably the last male capable of breeding."
Mhm, and who do we have to thank for this?