Sudan, the world’s last male Northern White Rhino is dead

Very sad news this morning as we learn of the death of Sudan, the very last male Northern White Rhino. Stephen Fry was among many to Tweet this terrible news. Here's the NBC News article.

The world's last male northern white rhino, Sudan, has died after "age-related complications," researchers announced Tuesday, saying he "stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength." A statement from the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya said the 45-year-old rhino was euthanized on Monday after his condition "worsened significantly" and he was no longer able to stand. His muscles and bones had degenerated and his skin had extensive wounds, with a deep infection on his back right leg.

Bumper Rimu Fruit Crop Expected, Great Kakapo Breeding Season Should Result....

Great news from New Zealand. The Rimu crop this year is going to be exceptional, so everyone is looking forward to a fantastic Kakapo breeding season! Here's a Tweet from Dr Andrew Digby.

Oh WOW. Rimu new fruit counts from Whenua Hou just in, and they've blown us away: median=47%! That’s huge, even compared to previous big breeding years: 2002=38%, 2009=35%. 2019 could be MASSIVE for #kakapo!

And another Tweet...

Some people don’t like graphs, so here’s another take on new rimu counts. 2016 was biggest #kakapo breeding season in living memory, with 122 eggs. Next year there'll likely be twice as much breeding food...

World's last male Northern White Rhino Sudan improves slightly

Sad news of the day is that while Sudan has improved slightly "his carers said his future was "not looking bright". BBC News has the story.

The 45-year-old is one of just three remaining northern white rhinos and is the only male. Attempts to mate him with the two surviving female rhinos failed, however, and an account was created for him on the dating app Tinder last year, not in order not to find love, but to help fund the development of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for rhinos. The move won him fans across the world - many of whom were devastated on hearing news of his "ailing condition" last Thursday.