The next time you’re on Tinder, you may find yourself paired with a northern white rhino named Sudan. Considered to be the “world’s most eligible bachelor” by wildlife experts, you should definitely “swipe right.” In fact, doing so may save the 43-year-old rhino’s life.
Sudan is the last male rhino of his kind. Though there are two remaining female northern white rhinos left in their world (named Naijin and Fatu), neither are viable candidates for mating. To stave off the subspecies’ extinction, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, based in Kenya, is hoping to raise $9 million for research into breeding methods, such as in-vitro fertilization.
“I don’t mean to be too forward, but the fate of the species literally depends on me,” the rhino’s profile reads on the dating app. “I perform well under pressure.”
TIME reports that Sudan isn’t looking to make a love connection. Rather, his appearance on Tinder is more to raise awareness about the seriousness of his and the remaining females’ situation. All three rhinos presently live under round-the-clock protection at the conservancy. When a user swipes right, they will then be directed to a donation site where they can choose whether or not to support the cause.
“We partnered with Ol Pejeta Conservancy to give the most eligible bachelor in the world a chance to meet his match,” Matt David, head of communications and marketing at Tinder, said in a statement. “We are optimistic given Sudan’s profile will be seen on Tinder in 190 countries and over 40 languages.”
Richard Vigne, the conservancy’s CEO, commented on the dire reality:
“The plight that currently faces the northern white rhinos is a signal to the impact that humankind is having on many thousands of other species across the planet. Ultimately, the aim will be to reintroduce a viable population of northern white rhino back into the wild, which is where their true value will be realized.”
Learn more about the Ol Pejeta Conservancy by visiting the organization’s website. What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
