The man working to save rhinos from extinction
- Text by Miss Rosen
- Photography by James Mwenda / Ol Pejeta Conservancy
When Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros, died last year at the age of 45, the fate of the sub-species inched one step closer towards extinction. Just 100 years ago, half a million roamed freely across Africa and Asia, but their vicious slaughter by poachers – who sell their horns for a reported $110,000 per kilogram on the black market – has nearly erased them from the earth.
As of today, only two northern white rhinos remain: Sudan’s daughter Najin, 30, and his granddaughter Fatu, 19, both of whom are under the care of James Mwenda, a conservationist at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
“It takes an emotional toll and it’s a very heavy responsibility,” says Mwenda, who has been caring for the family of three since 2013. “I feel so passionately because these animals cannot talk for themselves. I developed a special bond with them over time. I appreciate the majestic, loving animals they are. They are the last of their kind. I need to be their voice and speak for them.”
Mwenda wanted to be a conservationist from a very young age. Growing up near Mount Kenya, he remembers conflicts between the people and the elephants: “They would come, raid our farm, and eat everything. I wanted to understand them so I could be in between the community and the elephants.”
As caretaker for Najin and Fatu, Mwenda starts his day in the early hours of the morning making sure their needs are met, their environment is clean, and they are safe under the protection of the 24-hour armed guard. “They cannot go back into the wild so we have to complement that by showing them more affection,” Mwenda says.
“Animals shown affection really give it back and you take it in. They react to us, they rely on us, and trust us – but on the other hand, I feel like they also know they are quite at the edge. I spend a lot of time looking at them wondering and I think there is a way they feel that they are the last. This extinction seems to dawn on them but that affection and attention helps them to keep going.”
Mwenda speaks fondly of Najin and Fatu as he describes their characters and temperaments. “Najin naturally assumed a motherly role. She is quiet and cool. Unless something spooks or aggravates her, you will not see her reacting in an abnormal way,” he says.
“Fatu, on the other hand, I call her my girlfriend on social media. We have a special bond. She is a bit crazy. She’s also approachable but not very predictable. There is a southern white rhinoceros that plays with Fatu and she learned a bit of naughtiness from him because he is wild.”
For Mwenda, complaining is not the answer; we need to do something before it is too late. “I use the fate of the northern white rhinos to inspire,” he says. “We as a people can bring solutions. We are here, yes, but we can learn a lesson out of this and bring hope to so many of the other species around us that are on the verge of extinction.”
Learn more about James Mwenda’s work, and how you can help, on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy website.
Follow Miss Rosen on Twitter.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski and Andrea Arnold on ‘Bird’
The new issue of Little White Lies brings Andrea Arnold’s sixth feature to life with a thematic voyage down the Thames estuary.
Written by: Maisy Hunter
“A party is a microcosm of a nation”: Caleb Femi on the decline of the house party
To celebrate the publication of his new collection ‘The Wickedest’, Isaac Muk caught up with Femi to talk more about the work, the future of the shoobs, and discuss why having it large on a Saturday night should be cherished.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Celebrating 20 years of The Mighty Boosh
A new exhibition takes a look behind the scenes of the iconic show two decades after its BBC3 premiere.
Written by: Isaac Muk
We Run Mountains: Black Trail Runners tackle Infinite Trails
Soaking up the altitude and adrenaline at Europe’s flagship trail running event, high in the Austrian Alps, with three rising British runners of colour.
Written by: Phil Young
The organisation levelling the playing field in the music industry
Founded in 2022, The Name Game is committed to helping female, non-binary and trans people navigate the industry.
Written by: Djené Kaba
Vibrant, rebellious portraits of young Cubans
A new photobook captures the young people redefining Cuban identity amidst increased economic and political turbulence on the Caribbean island.
Written by: Isaac Muk