Preserved body of world's last male northern white rhino Sudan erected at National Museum

When visiting the National Museums of Kenya, one can now view the embalmed body of the world's famous northern white rhino known as Sudan.

Sudan passed away in 2018, marking the extinction of his species.

Sudan's remains underwent taxidermy, an art of preserving an animal's body by mounting (over an armature) or stuffing. It is done for display or study.

Born in 1973, Sudan's story became a symbol of the fight against poaching and the race to save endangered species.

"Today, his preserved remains are displayed at the National Museums of Kenya, offering a powerful reminder of conservation's importance," a statement by the National Museums of Kenya read.

"It's an awe-inspiring experience to see this legendary animal, who captured the hearts of many, and you can witness his legacy only at the Nairobi National Museum."

Sudan was a captive northern white rhinoceros that lived at the Safari Park Dvůr Králové in the Czech Republic from 1975 to 2009.

He then spent the rest of his life at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya.

At the time of his death, he was one of only three living northern white rhinoceroses in the world and the last known male of his subspecies.

Sudan was euthanised on 19 March 2018, after suffering from "age-related complications.".

He fathered three calves in the Czech Republic and became the grandfather of one.

He fathered Nabire (dam: Nasima, studbook number 0351), who was born in November 1983 and died at Dvůr Králové Zoo in July 2015.

He was also the father of Najin, who was transported to Ol Pejeta Conservancy along with him in 2009.

Najin was born in 1989, again with the dam being Nasima. Sudan also sired one other offspring besides Nabire and Najin.

The third calf was born prematurely and died. Sudan was the grandfather of Fatu through his daughter Najin.

In December 2009, the rhinos were moved to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy for a "Last Chance To Survive" breeding programme, along with three other northern white rhinoceroses.

It was hoped that Ol Pejeta would provide a more natural habitat and better hormonal balance for the animals to induce breeding.

However, breeding attempts with Sudan at Ol Pejeta Conservancy were unsuccessful.

One of the other three rhinos transported in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Suni, died in 2014.

Sudan then lived the final years of his life with his daughter Najin and granddaughter Fatu.

At the end of 2017, Sudan suffered from an infection in his right hind leg.

Although his condition improved in subsequent months, the infection returned, and, in March 2018, his state seriously deteriorated.

The skin mount of Sudan and the skeleton of Nabire were on display in the National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic, until the end of 2021.

The beloved icon of wildlife conservation that has captured the hearts of millions around the world was shipped to Kenya on March 25.